Remembered as the Ruby Phoenix, the legendary sorcerer Hao Jin disappeared without a trace centuries ago never to be seen since. The Pathfinder Society has spent much of the past decade exploring her vast museum demiplane, yet in recent years the demiplane's very existence has begun to unravel, threatening to cast its contents into the void. The Society's leaders believe that only Hao Jin herself might be able to repair her creation, and a new lead at last reveals where she had gone: the realm of perfect law, Axis. As elite agents, the PCs must track her down and convince her to save the tapestry demiplane and all of the creatures that live there.
The Pathfinders receive a summons to meet District Councilmember and priestess of Abadar Jostlyn Ferqyr at the Vault of Abadar in Absalom’s Ivy District. Upon arrival, Ferqyr is already waiting at the compound’s main gate flanked by two stern paladins of Abadar. She greets the Pathfinders politely and hands them an envelope containing their mission briefing along with a small satchel of handwritten documents.
Ferqyr then asks the Pathfinders to follow her into one of the Vault of Abadar’s subbasements where they will be transported to the plane of Axis. She passes through several locked and guarded rooms and descends two staircases, and finally unlocks a vault that contains several small stone plinths, each containing a lockbox. Ferqyr unlocks one and carefully lifts out a golden miniature the size of a dinner plate in the shape of a circular city.
Keeper Ferqyr carefully hands the intricate golden miniature to one of the paladins beside her and pulls out and reads from a small scroll.
“The Vault of Absalom hereby contractually gives permission to the Members of the Pathfinder Society here present to make use of the miraculous powers of the Golden City of Tumen to travel to and return from the realm of the Master of the First Vault, thrice-blessed be his name. During their stay in Axis, the Pathfinders shall conduct themselves in a matter befitting their role as representatives of the Church of Abadar, and not bring ill repute upon it or any of its subsidiary organizations.”
Ferqyr looks for an affirmative answer from each of the Pathfinders before she instructs them to place a hand on the golden model of the city. As she intones the command phrase for the device, the room disappears and the device transports them to a tasteful reception room on Axis using a variation of plane shift.
Based on the result of a Knowledge (arcana or history) check, the Pathfinders might know more about the sorceress Hao Jin and her demiplane, the Hao Jin Tapestry.
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A man in black enameled full-plate with a blood-red inverted pentagram, an adamantine heavy mace, and iron mask enters. Without lifting the mask he says, "Armiger Faustus Sulpicious Voralius here to recover the sorceress Hao Jin. As I learned of her location, it is fitting that I should go after her.
"I am ready for negotiations of all types, and if our arbitrations should fail, the option for final arbitration always exists. I am assuming that our goal is to bring her back alive."
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Lya gracefully follows the procession cheerily reading the letter.
"Oh fascinating! of all the places to go, this will certainly be an interesting one!"
"and of course we will be bringing her back alive if she chooses to. Why must you heavily armored types seek to smash skulls so quickly?"
She is too distracted by the thoughts to recall much of use. She looks around after their transportation observing the new surroundings.
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”I am assuming you are referring to me, Miss?” asks Faustus, not breaking his deadpan tone. ”I will have you know that violence is my last resort. It is hard to find the truth if you start with killing. I have found that kind words and reasonable suggestions go much farther than head smashing.
“And, if it comes to that, I am fully capable of fighting with nonlethal tactics. I prefer to brin my quarry in alive.
“Now, I must ask... are your papers in order?”
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You almost have to shield your eyes when the next fellow rides in: "Knight in shining armor" almost fails to convey the self-parodying splendor. He arrives just in time to hear Anen sharing his knowledge of Hao Jin.
"VERILY!" The knight bellows in a voice that sounds at once cultured and...unhinged.
He flips his visor up, revealing a thin, Taldan-featured face with a long droopy mustache, and eyes that remind you simultaneously of twinkling stars and a halibut. "For 'twas ne'er a sorcierre so twixt-imbued both in eldritch puissance and sublime regality of spirit as SHE, whoso endeavored not to conquist and ironfist, but SAVE THE STORIES like nil afore her, that they never be lost to wickedness, dolor, and apathy!!! Twixt star and wave, twist Perdition and Paradise, mountain and molehill, the splendors of civilization and yonder unguessable gulfs of tenebrous terror didst she voyage to see and to share the wonders of Aught, and the greatest of these did she weave into her eponymous Tapestry of Yore! Drear days these should be, that her wonders should falter, but fear ye not, for I, Sir Spenser Pellinore Quixote The Last, Marquis de Exupery, hath ever-sworn to give of mein very soulslocker and lifesriver ere I should permit a single page of a kinder's hornbook should be consigned to Oubliette, and to quest for the awesome damsel of Yore herself is to be an incomparable honour! For the Tapestry! FOR THE STOOORRIIIIEEESSS!!!"
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"'Papers'?!" He blinks. "Dost we now spell 'Passing Glorious Taldor of Yore' with a 'K'?"
"Roight, then," He concludes as he hands Faustus a parchment, exquisitely hand-scribed, detailing and declaring for all to see gods-alone-know-what.
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After a few moments, the Pathfinders arrive in the second story reception room of the Guesthouse of the Cage. The reception room is tastefully decorated with ornate stone benches, tables, and chairs, and it overlooks an enormous circular plaza hosting the Eternal Emporium, a miles-wide expanse of colorful stalls that comprise one of the largest markets in the Great Beyond. From there waft the smells of spices, cooked meat, fresh fruits, and much more, and beings from across the multiverse are visible buying and selling all manner of goods. To the right, the Pathfinders can see one of the massive gates leading into Aktun, the center of Axis and domain of Abadar, decorated with gold- and silver-traced murals. Standing atop the wall looms the Lawgiver, Abadar’s herald who takes the form of a fully armored warrior made of gold and steel.
The reception room’s only occupant is Esfir, who looks like a miniature draft horse, with dark blue metallic skin, golden eyes, and a white star-shaped patch on her forehead. She is very excited to see the assembled group.
Using truespeech to use whatever language you are most comfortable hearing, she says, ”Ah, true devotees of the Master of the First Vault; the Wealthy Father! We have not had the pleasure of a visit by Abadar’s faithful upon Golarion in quite some time!”
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"The pleasure is all ours," says Faustus. "We are honored to finally be able to be where The Judge of the Gods makes his home. Seeing the glory of Axis gives me a feeling of security in our forthcoming afterlife. To paraphrase, so shall it be judged."
Faustus takes a deep, formal bow, though his helm and mask remain.
”Oh, pardon me for not introducing myself; I am Esfir.” Esfir’s tone turns to concern after eyeing the inverted pentagram on Faustus’ armor and otherwise noticing the lack of Abadar-related garb. ”You’re...not all Abadaran priests? My apologies for assuming so; usually only his true faithful arrive here. I must ask—who are you and why have you come here?”
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"We come on an urgent mission of Mercy, seeking one who we believe took refuge on this plane centuries ago. We are Pathfinders and we seek the Ruby Pheonix, for only she may be able to save the countless lives on the edge of oblivion."
Lya gets straight to the point as she feels her usual eloquence may detract from the urgency she feels.
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"We stand as representatives of the Pathfinder Society legally contracted with the Vault of Absalom, City of Absalom, Golarion. In accordance with our agreement the Church of Abadar, Absalom has granted us the right to visit Axis in pursuit of a personage needed to realign a planar imbalance. My name is Grisaia, servant of the Eternal Rose."
The half-orc woman allows a smile to break the serious mein of her recitation. "We hope to perform our mission in as orderly a fashion as possible so as to minimize the disturbance to your city. I understand that mortal individuals can cause issues with the proper alignment of the planes, as we are not as perfectly aligned as Axis residents. I am here in the stead of Kurik Grandhelm, who regrets his inability to perform this task due to an assignment to halt a being of chaos on the fiendish planes."
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Note, he did not directly lie, but he has not directly stated his affiliations. Pretty much everything he said was true, and he does venerate the lawful, contractual side of Asmodean far more than the fire and evil side. Eliminating chaos is his life’s goal.
That said, he was meaning to imply an association that wasn’t there, to allow the listener to make a false conclusion. 5us is the way of the followers of the Prince of Lies.
Let’s also throw in a take 10 on diplomacy for a 29 as well... and this includes the follow up of this statement. Faustus knows that the true diplomacy is a careful balance of truths and lies, spoken and unspoken.
”It is a true honor to meet a being of Law, such as yourself Esfir.” Faustus continues. ”As one who has dedicated his life to rooting out Chaos in all of its forms, The perfect Order of this place brings me a level of peace.
“It is as Grisala has said, we are here on behalf of the Pathfinder Society and the Temple of Abadar in Absalom. It is a mission of mercy we have undertaken, one only the venerated sorceress could possibly assist us on.”
Esfir relaxes a bit after hearing your explanations, especially after hearing that your visit was fully sanctioned by the Church of Abadar.. ”Oh my, your mission sounds urgent indeed! In that case, allow me to give a more proper introduction. I am Esfir, member of the 14th Order, 289th Echelon of Abadar’s eternal retinue, and you have arrived at the Guesthouse of the Cage outside of Aktun, the domain of thrice-blessed Abadar.”
”Is this Ruby Phoenix you’ve come seeking perhaps a title or nickname?”
Esfir thinks for a moment. “I have heard that name, though not for some time. Come, we can investigate.” She leads the Pathfinders to the building’s ground floor and consults a large book, casting a spell and concentrating, pointing a hoof at the book and turning the pages magically.
At last she reaches a very old entry and concludes, “Here: Hao Jin, a sorcerer of considerable power arrived 333 years ago, after which there’s no record of her having departed. This designation here indicates she received a formal reprimand from the Eternal City soon afterward, and the last entry points to her performing research in the Empty Court as a guest of the axiomites.”
”Can I answer any other questions you might have regarding your mission here?”
”Axis does not inherently extend mortals’ life spans. That is indeed quite a long time for a human to be alive.”
When asked about the Empty Court, Esfir answers, “the Empty Court was the divine realm of Aroden. When he mysteriously perished more than a century ago, it began to collapse. Be careful, as it is no longer part of Axis and does not benefit from the Eternal City’s protection.”
“If you’d like to reach the Empty Court, there are numerous forms of accelerated transportation in Axis, including a host of gateways for public use. I shall provide you directions to the most convenient one, which should take you to within sight of the Empty Court.”
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At the mention of the late Scion of Humanity, Faustus’s teeth grind. ”Let us make haste, then, before the realm of the god of prophesy collapses like his promises. It is probably collapsing at the same rate of his Arch.”
He checks his gear, and makes ready to leave. ”How long will this trip be, Esfir? Should we expect any dangers?
“Gateways, you say? Are they still safe to take, given the state of the Empty Court? What dangers lie there that we may have to free Hai Jin from?”
”Oh, it won’t take long. Axis is not dangerous at all as long as you behave in accordance with the law. The gateways are perfectly safe, yes. Once beyond Axis proper and in the area surrounding the Empty Court though...It’s disputed planar territory. Angels and Devils skirmish over claims to the region. I’m afraid I can’t answer as to what specifically you might find.”
Esfir guides the Pathfinders into the Eternal Emporium, along several streets, and to a small rotunda where a semicircular wall partially encloses a fountain. Seven arches in the wall each have a lantern that hangs nearby, with flames that ignite and extinguish for a minute at a time. While the flame burns, creatures periodically walk into the arches and disappear, and while a given flame is out, creatures sometimes step out from that arch.
Esfir makes for the rightmost arch, and a petitioner serving as the rotunda’s custodian hastily says, ”Esfir, wait...that portal…” but she waves the petitioner off.
”This portal doesn’t see much use anymore, but it travels to within sight of the Empty Court. Please feel free to call on me again if you need any more assistance!"
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The gateway deposits the Pathfinders in a largely abandoned neighborhood—a wasteland of dust and ruins—several hundred feet from the Empty Court. Two axial monitors equipped with golden halberds guard the nearest entrance. ”Halt! Explain your intentions for entering the Empty Court!”
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Lya cheerily converses with the creature as they travel. "Having been to the plane of Heaven and seeing Demons set loose, it sounds like those skirmishes could be devastating."
Upon seeing the Axials, and hesitating just a moment..
Lya bows politely "We have been granted leave by Esfir, member of Abadar's eternal retinue to proceed to the Empty Court on our mission of mercy, to find the Ruby Phoenix, known as the Sorceress Hao Jin, and seek her expertise. Countless lives, as well as years of archaeological treasures are at stake."
Anen Tyln recognizes the axial monitors from his studies, although doesn’t remember much beyond that they are large Lawful Neutral outsiders. They can attack with amazing swiftness and with a number of attacks to rival a dragon—basically he knows you don’t want to mess with them.
”Ah, Hao Jin. Wait while we summon the proper authorities.”
After about fifteen minutes a harried-looking flying metallic sphere about a foot in diameter with one eye, two decorative wings, and a pair of arms flies up to the assembled Pathfinders.
“Greetings, mortals. This one is classified Eleven-Sun-Truth and represents the one classified Hao Jin in all matters before her Tribunal. I have been informed that you have business with said individual but must inform you that the one you seek is not accessible on orders of the Godmind itself. How else may this one be of service?”
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"I am afraid that regulations may need to wait for a while, Eleven-Sun-Truth. The issue we come on behalf of is planar stability; as the Hao Jin Tapestry is collapsing. If we do not visit her now, many will die."
Father Nicholas tries to urge the importance of their visit to the Flying Metallic Sphere.
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’What is it with this place?’
”I know you are just a low level bureaucrat,” says Faustus, keeping his tone even, ”And that you are only following orders, but you do not know who you are dealing with. I am also sure that this ‘Godmind’ does not understand the risk in preventing our access to Hao Jin, whoever they are.
“It would be solidly in your best interest to help me understand why we are being denied access to the only person who will be able to save the life of uncounted thousands of lives. It is my mission to insure that these innocents do not die..”
Faustus stares at the thing from behind his mask, his hand on the hart of his adamantine heavy mace. ”I believe, Eleven-Sun-Truth, that it would be in your best interest to cease hindering us and start helping us. Do. I. Make. Myself. Clear?”
Faustus recognizes Eleven-Sun-Truth as an arbiter inevitable; arbiters are scouts and diplomats in the cause of law.
Eleven-Sun-Truth is generally friendly but puts on a show of huffing at and being offended by mortal imperfections without intending malice. At Nicholas’ mention of the collapsing of the Hao Jin Tapestry its tone and demeanor change immediately. It merely huffs a bit at Faustus’ attempt at intimidation and otherwise ignores the man in the mask.
”Oh, you have come on a matter of dimensional stability—something very important to my kind—that directly involves the Ruby Phoenix; I will guide you to Hao Jin and mediate a short discussion.”
Addressing the axial monitors: ”Please open the gate.”
Addressing the Pathfinders: ”Follow inside, but I must warn you that a lawless realm lies beyond.”
As advertised, distant skirmishes are visible in the Empty Court, which Eleven-Sun-Truth identifies as angels, devils, and other beings skirmishing to claim territory. During their walk, the Pathfinders can ask questions of Eleven-Sun-Truth.
After twenty minutes the group arrives at the Amphitheater of the Last Azlanti, an ancient, multistory theater built into the side of a hill. The structure’s outer walls bear faded murals of Aroden’s life: his mortal life as a blacksmith, his leading of the Azlanti survivors from the ruins of Earthfall, his planar travels, his raising of the Starstone and creating Absalom, his battle with the wizard Tar-Baphon, and more. Inside, the amphitheater’s stadium-style seating partly surrounds a raised, stone stage where a small tent is pitched next to a campsite.
Nearby sits Hao Jin who is studying and sketching several dozen broken sculpture pieces made of glass. She looks up with curiosity as the Pathfinders approach and greets you with a courteous nod without breaking eye contact.
”Welcome, Eleven-Sun-Truth. You have not brought me visitors in some time and certainly never from my home world. What calamity has befallen Golarion that you come all the way to the Eternal City to find me? Has the Whispering Tyrant escaped his confinement? Has a new spawn of Rovagug been released in Casmaron? Or has Arazni perhaps decided to stir from her torpor and lay claim to Garund? What is the matter? I see the strain of grave news in your faces.”
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"it is an honor to meet you ma'm" Lya greets with a bow.
"Though we would love to engage in pleasantries, we are here on behalf of the Pathfinder Society on an urgent mission. Our Organization won the Ruby Pheonix tournament some years ago and acquired your tapestry.
Recently however, the tapestry has been unraveling, and the demi-plane assaulted by pirates from.. i believe it was the Abyss?"
Lya strains to remember the various chronicles on the subject..
"Our best minds estimate the Tapestry will completely disintegrate within weeks... maybe even days. Here is everything we have gathered on the matter.."
Lya reaches for the satchel and hands it over.
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Faustus approaches the sorceress, giving an appropriately deep bow to such a esteemed person. ”It is true. In fact, our former Master of Spells gave his life to keep the demiplane from collapsing recently.”
Faustus continues, ”I was recently in the Tapestry, and while Aram Zey is now worshipped in places as a god,” he rolls his eyes at this,” it is apparent that his actions are merely delaying the inevitable.”
” The threads of the Tapestry are frayed. Denizens of other planes, and from the areas in between, are getting in. We fear that the thousands living their will soon perish. ”
”What of the people and places still left in the tapestry; have any of you had personal interactions with them?”
When given the documents from the satchel she reads them closely. Her expression turns to indignance midway through. ”Your organization, and this other ’Aspis Consortium’ created ’back doors’ into the tapestry?! No wonder it’s been degrading so rapidly!”
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"I am afraid I was not part of any of the missions into the tapestry itself. I have heard that initial forays were to investigate the sites you collected and to study the demiplane. It was only after the discovery of the Consortium's intrusion that our arcanists began to tamper with the tapestry themselves. The Society would like to offer our apologies and hope that with your help we can correct the wrongs done to your work."
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"I have spent some time there. I defended it during the recent assault, and was present for Aram Zey's sacrifice. I received a blessing from a fiery phoenix after our victory.
"I have also rescued a dwarf from duergar slavers while there; I had clashed with the Duergar living on Slave Mountain once in the past."
Hao Jin listens carefully, nodding at Grisaia’s apology.
“Although I cannot hold the actions of the Pathfinder Society and its rivals as blameless in the Tapestry’s demise, I know that at least the Society did not commit them out of malice. In the end, responsibility for the demiplane’s condition is mine. My time here on Axis has shown me how reckless I acted when I created the demiplane. I did not fully understand the implications and long-term consequences of my actions, but what is done is done and cannot be taken back.”
She lowers her eyes and lets out a long sigh, before continuing. “If I understand you and the documents you have shown me correctly, I’m afraid there is nothing I can do to save the Tapestry; it has unraveled beyond the point of repair. There may, however, still be a chance to save the places and people inside it. My memory is not what it once was, but I believe that I could perform a ritual that reverses the process I first used to transport various sites into the tapestry, thereby returning a site to its original location. In that way, that site could serve as an ark to carry any plants and creatures aboard back to the Material Plane.”
”I see two significant obstacles to performing the ritual. The first is that the ritual would need to be performed on the Material Plane and reasonably close to where the structure would be deposited. That wouldn’t be a problem were it not for my self-imposed detention in Axis, to which I am fully committed as I seek to prove my dedication, self-reflection, and self-control to Axis’s authorities. Fortunately, I see that the Pathfinder Society has grown in the centuries since I last heard of it, and a contingent of powerful spellcasters might be able to perform the ritual in my place.”
”The second obstacle is far more significant: I no longer know how to perform certain parts of the ritual. When I bargained with Axis to preserve the demiplane, I allowed select memories and technical knowledge to be extracted from my mind. Preserved on devices called memory engrams, these memories not only ensure that I can’t recreate the same violations that offended Axis in the first place, but they also provide a means by which scholars can study these experiences and innovations in responsible ways. Were the engrams brought back to me, I might reassemble the rituals so that someone could perform one last transposition. I suspect this process would trigger the demiplane’s final death throes, so there’s only the one opportunity.”
”However, I’m also concerned that recreating these rituals would likewise violate my agreement with Axis.” She looks to Eleven-Sun-Truth for official clarification. The arbiter’s eye rotates slowly in thought before snapping back to stare at Hao Jin before the inevitable states, “In the cosmos, law is the ideal, not the absolute condition, thus requiring some interpretation from the inevitables who enforce order. Likewise in this situation, there is no one answer. How you interpret it reflects your identity as the judge.” Hao Jin scowls in response to this non-answer and considers the ramifications for a moment, listening to the Pathfinders’ input if any.