The angel is flying around 15 ft above ground. He listens to Wind but is still clearly agitated.
"I was called and a bargain was made! You might be the liar!" 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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"So, Ah'm guessin' y'ain't 'zactly from 'round here then. Seem ta me like'n you were sucked o-cross the line o' time 'n space by the very bad guy 'im self. Ah mean, couldn'tcha smell the evil on 'im?" He gestures to his allies, "Pretty sure we don't want no parta some dust up with a servant o' righteous goodliness. Well, maybe Colin might be spoilin' fer some trouble, but that's just a gen'ral sense 'o who 'e is." The bard continues, "So, Ah'm wonderin' ifin you can share the details o' yer service here. Maybe we can find a way fer everyone ta be safe, no blood is spilt, n' Colin there is jest a wee bit disappointed fer the time bein'. How 'bout it?
The angel steps back. You see that Spackle’s 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!“
You really see doubt in the angel‘s eyes after Ingrge‘s words.
”I am really not certain what to believe! Therefore, I give you the chance that we find peace ... but I have to discern lies and therefore you have to strip off any magical items so that I can analyze your thoughts!“ the angel says vehemently.
The angel nods appreciatively at Ingrge.
The Deva approaches. He then waves his hand over Ingrge. And you feel as if his mind and yours are somehow connected.
"Repeat your words so I can discern the truth!"
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Colin will remove his quiver containing most of his magic items, and say
If you truly wish to delve into my mind be my guest. Be prepared for what you find within! You may find it... unsettling....
Colin will fail the save, and back up what his pathfinder companions have said - auto aid on diplomacy for another +2.
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Arnold shrugs out of his feather-light armor, then lays his various weapons and potions on top. He walks over to join Ingrge. At the mention of a conjurer, the wayang idly wonders if Naroth Balam might have summoned this angel, but puts it out of his mind as he repeats some of what Winds said.
"The Lissalan cultists my friend mentioned were indeed on a mission to return their runelord to power. They have taken at least those two captives, and we do not know what fell ends they might be put to. Slave labor, or perhaps fuel for some twisted ritual, like however they plan to restore Krune."
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A little bit disappointed but more than happy to let the angel look into her mind rather than fighting him she looks at her comrade moving out of the scene with her wand.
What's Doormouse doing?
She stows into her quiver her magical wands and weapon and present herself to the Angel after removing it.
I'm Winds! Pleasure to meet you.
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Looking at the others, Dimple seems less enthused to comply. "So were jest strippin' down ta the buff fer this guy?" Spackle eyes the angel with suspicion. "What about you? How do we know yer who 'r what ya say y'are? How kin YOU prove that ta us? I mean, some demony 'r delily thing wern't 'ave no compunkshu 'bout lookin' all holy jest ta kill a few people. Sounds like a succubi kinda play. So how 'bout it? Can ya prove yer good?"
The Angel nods at Ingrege, Wind, Colin and Arnold and seems to be in thoughts for a moment.
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?"
After you have given your answer the Deva shakes his head.
"Your honesty 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 at all of you.
"You all seem worthy to enter this sacred shrine."
He points at Spackle who did not agree to comply and asked questions that the deva obviously dislikes ... and his voice thunders.
"I AM AN ANGEL! A CELESTIAL BEING OF GOOD!" he shouts but suddenly he looks back at the complex and this makes the deva uncertain again and he looks at Spackle.
"We shall see how words are fair to the truth after you have discarded your magical items."
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The bard begins to divest himself of equipment."Aw Dregs! Ifin this ain't the dumbest thing Ah've done Pathfinderin', not sure what would top it." He points an accusing finger at the angel, realizes what he is doing, then re-aims it up to the sky, "When you get back to yer base 'r what have ya, yer are gonna be in so much trouble. Workin' fer evil, makin' innocent people strippin' down like crim'nals. They may just take that fancy halo 'o yer's away fro ya." By the end of the rant, Spackle has complied with the request. "N' fer the record, jest yellin' yer an angel don't nesis'arily clear up my question nun. But as WE have REAL evil ta be stoppin', we ain't got no more time ta be wastin' on yer nonsense. Do yer lookin' 'n step aside fer the actual soldiers o' goodness 'n purity."
After submitting to the scan, the gnome re-equips himself and heads in with the others. As he walks pass the guardian, a derisive, "Tourist!" slips from his lips.
The deva looks at all of you and again nods.
Especially Spackle’s words make him almost move in anger .. not because of your group but the realization 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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Arnold thanks Winds and jumps into his wallaby's pouch, expecting a fight. He looks over the doors before entering, just in case.
Upon noticing the hostages, he is unsure of what to do so he remains careful. His voice is equally faint as he replies to the noble. "Yes, we are here to rescue you. Can you walk, what is keeping you there? Where are the Lissalans?" The wayang can't help but feel paranoid at the straightforwardness, and has to remind himself of what Winds said to remain somewhat calm.
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Doormouse moves into the room and is pleased with how nicely lit it is. Ahh, nice and dim. Just perfect. And speaking of dim, look at these sad sacks. Food and water? I guess, but I think they definitely need cheering up. Doormouse reaches into a pocket and pulls out a handful of shredded multicolored paper bit and tosses it in the as she dismisses her spell, becoming visible again. "Ta-DAH!" She giggles as the paper falls to the ground.
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Colin can also read Thassilonian.
Now that we are into the temple proper, Colin will cast False Life, Heroism, Darkvision, See Invisibility, and Mage Armor on himself. He will also cast Heightened Awareness from his wand, which he will expend for initiative should the need arise.
As the others speak with the disheveled people we have found, Colin will spend his time reading the Thassilonian writing.
The Taldan steps forward and looks a little surprised when Doormouse suddenly appears.
”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 small man!“ he says to Arnold while continually attempting to pick dried mud off his clothing.
By Thunder and Wind! What happened to you? says Winds chocked by the states of the humans.
Do you need food? Water? she starts to pull down her rations to give them to the five people and moves closer to them.[dice=Perception]1d20+12+2
When Wind approaches she sees that the female dwarf stands up and starts speaking.
”Oh thanks!! 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 too!!" 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."
The marquis almost wanted to lash out in anger about his captor 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.
You receive almost no reaction from the Shoanti but the Taldan and the merchant dwarf thank you and are genuinely glad to see you all. They retreat to the area where the deva disappeared and seem to wait.
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Winds looks at the Shoanti to see if they are still under some magical influence.
Then asks Wattle and the Marquis Do you know for how long you have been here? And how may the cultists are? One fat man who seems to be a magician and how many others? Are they more the fighter style or more the wizard style?
Once she has her answers she follows Arnold.
Doormouse moves over to the workers and starts casting Detect Magic. She will keep it going to see the school of magic, if any, that are on them. These people are acting funny. What’s wrong with them? Maybe it’s nap time. Maybe it’s magic. Magic nap time? “So...what’s your name?”
You see a magical aura on the male shoanti.
The Shoanti only look at you all with little interest.
Neither of them answers you.
Winds looks at the Shoanti to see if they are still under some magical influence.
[dice=Sense Motive]1d20+0+2Then asks Wattle and the Marquis Do you know for how long you have been here? And how may the cultists are? One fat man who seems to be a magician and how many others? Are they more the fighter style or more the wizard style?
Once she has her answers she follows Arnold.
Wind, the Shoanti are truly intimidated and don’t want to act.
The dwarf answers eagerly!
”I know that Naroth is the name of the fat man. He and his two hooded companions first went toward that area and subsequently emerged from the doors to this area after the sounds of a minor scuffle. They next entered that room and spoke a strange language with a creepy-sounding woman. Naroth told us to stay here before the door swung closed!“
The Shoanti shake their heads but the male Shoanti now looks at Wind.
”We are brave warriors but we saw what this big man can do! We would all die and that is the reason why my sisters did not try to escape or to free me because we would not have stood a chance! I .. I want to be honest ... we can’t help ... “ he says in shame.