Rykar slaps Melea on the shoulder after his display of archery. Not knowing anything about the creatures or the tower Rykar stands back as the group parlays with the book people.
Ah yes, the monolith passed through here two days ago and proceeded somewhere within. I wonder what it's up to now?" She shrugs. "No matter. We have more important research to do."
Aya has nothing to be worried about. Everyone present and accounted for, except for Arletta who came down with some sort of sickness. She's resting up in her tent right now, just through that archway over there. She points toward the area just beyond raised platform with the sphere. That's also where the light is coming from, that sphere. Harder to see in the day but that's it.
The banging started when the monolith came through here. Must be coming from it.
Male N Dwarf from Qadira - usually talking business or about the past | Flame Spirit Shaman (Speaker for the Past) 9 | HP 98/98 + 12/12 Temp HP | Resistance Fire 10 | Now: AC25 / AC 27 vs evil, Normal: AC 22 T 10 FF 22 | CMB +4, CMD 14 | F: +11, R: +6, W: +17 | Init: +0 | Perc: +20, SM: +19, Dipl.: +24 | Reroll 1/1 | Chaldira trait reroll 1/1 | Knowledge 8/8 | Darkvision 60ft | Speed 20ft | Active condition: heroism, barkskin, magic vs evil, heightened awareness
Toral is confused.
"May I ask what you are doing here? A monolith is destroying something and you do not care?" he asks with a raised eyebrow.
"Please explain exactly what you have been up to here!"
Nothing to worry about. It's perfectly safe. Who knows what it's up to now? I'm far too busy to investigate it. This is an important archaeological site! These are such exciting times. Juliet goes back to the other archaeologists to look over their work. She seems very occupied and excited.
Male N Dwarf from Qadira - usually talking business or about the past | Flame Spirit Shaman (Speaker for the Past) 9 | HP 98/98 + 12/12 Temp HP | Resistance Fire 10 | Now: AC25 / AC 27 vs evil, Normal: AC 22 T 10 FF 22 | CMB +4, CMD 14 | F: +11, R: +6, W: +17 | Init: +0 | Perc: +20, SM: +19, Dipl.: +24 | Reroll 1/1 | Chaldira trait reroll 1/1 | Knowledge 8/8 | Darkvision 60ft | Speed 20ft | Active condition: heroism, barkskin, magic vs evil, heightened awareness
Ha ha! ;-) Anything we can roll to find out what they are doing?!
They seem to be taking rubbings of the wall impressions and documenting minor artifacts. Typical archaeology stuff. You probably want to see to that sick archaeologist or that loud banging though ;)
Male N Dwarf from Qadira - usually talking business or about the past | Flame Spirit Shaman (Speaker for the Past) 9 | HP 98/98 + 12/12 Temp HP | Resistance Fire 10 | Now: AC25 / AC 27 vs evil, Normal: AC 22 T 10 FF 22 | CMB +4, CMD 14 | F: +11, R: +6, W: +17 | Init: +0 | Perc: +20, SM: +19, Dipl.: +24 | Reroll 1/1 | Chaldira trait reroll 1/1 | Knowledge 8/8 | Darkvision 60ft | Speed 20ft | Active condition: heroism, barkskin, magic vs evil, heightened awareness
"Okay, let us see what is this giant is doing back there! Hurry guys ... "
Arbiscar also finds out the behaviour of the archeologists is strange "Your friends are very scared. They are dismantling the campsite. And you are here just calmly unearthing artifacts?"
Sense Motive:1d20 + 3 ⇒ (20) + 3 = 23 K. religion (id if they are ghost):1d20 + 5 ⇒ (13) + 5 = 18
"Do I have to hammer you to make you moving or discover if you are a ghost or an illusion?"
Will (unbelief illusion):1d20 + 7 ⇒ (13) + 7 = 20
Arbiscar and Grayson get a sense that the archaeologists in the room are oddly oblivious to the gravity of their situation. Perhaps influenced somehow? Arbiscar is able to determine they are not ghosts or illusions.
[dice=Furry of Blows MW Sansetsukon]1d20+5+2[/dice] [dice=Damage]1d10+2[/dice]
While everyone is trying to figure out what's going on, Haro will take out a book and start to sketch the stuff he's seeing. Both on the wall and in the surroundings. Take 10 for 16.
Rykar raises an eyebrow at the demeanor Arbiscar is talking to the book folk.
"We should look at the Mono Lith to see what we can find out from it." he then looks over at the angry dwarf. "Is that ok?"
You have a strong feeling they are under some extraordinary compulsion. Not much to do there. We have 2 votes for Monolith, so I'll move us along.
As you pass through the ruined doors toward the source of the pounding noise, you can see a large alcove containing a stone fountain beneath a carving of a cyclops breaking free of clutching tentacles. The fountain’s basin is full of clear water.
The fountain is beautifully carved, and the water flowing into the basin is crystal clear.
Detect magic:
Spending a few moments to attune her your arcane senses to it, you detect a strong aura of magic on the water.
Knowledge (arcana) to identify the school, DC 21:
Spoiler:
This is a strong abjuration aura.
-----
Spellcraft to identify the properties of the water, DC 27:
Spoiler:
The water from this fountain makes the drinker incredibly difficult to grapple, and much more likely to escape, should they be grappled. Mechanically, +30 insight bonus to your CMD, and to Escape Artist and CMB checks made to escape a grapple.
Moving down the hallway, you arrive at another huge door that has been beaten down. Within, an enormous iron figure persistently beats on a closed stone door. The figure has clearly seen better days, its form degraded and worn by time. It steadfastly ignores the arriving pathfinders, continuing its relentless assault on the stone door. At first examination it's clear that the monolith has made slow but steady progress over the last two days as fresh cracks are readily apparent on the door and chips of freshly broken stone lie by its feat. You can estimate that the door will only stand up to this assault for another hour or so.
But exactly how long until it breaks? Knowledge (engineering):
DC 15:
Spoiler:
You get a real good look at it, and you can tell how long the door has to the minute. This allows you to prepare for its collapse more effective.
The walls of this large, vaulted room are carved with stylized astronomical symbols. The south wall contains a pair of immense doors made of stone. Smaller doors on the east wall have been battered inward. The north wall contains four large panels, each eight feet above the ground with a central gap about seven inches wide and an inch deep. Above the four panels are blocky letters, and below them, mosaics featuring sway-backed cyclopes. The chamber’s floor displays a stylized depiction of Golarion and its moon traveling around the sun.
Understand Cyclops or Linguistics check:
DC 20+ Linguistics (not needed if you speak Cyclops):
Spoiler:
The inscription reads “The MOON set within the VOID reflects the SUN but does not obscure the STARS”
A wary scan of the surroundings and statue clear things up. "The water radiates abjuration magic. Something to protect the cave, those in it? I'm not sure."
Arbiscar grunts but follows up the half-orc in the search for the monolith.
The dwarf nods to Melea while he focus himself into analyzing the magic.
Spellcraft:1d20 + 5 ⇒ (13) + 5 = 18
"What are all those symbols? Does anyone of you understand?" Arbiscar offers to use a comprehend language scroll if no one understand the Cyclop symbols.
"I propose we destroy the construct before it liberates whatever is sealed behind those doors" and he readies his earthbreaker in a clear suggestion to fight.
Male N Dwarf from Qadira - usually talking business or about the past | Flame Spirit Shaman (Speaker for the Past) 9 | HP 98/98 + 12/12 Temp HP | Resistance Fire 10 | Now: AC25 / AC 27 vs evil, Normal: AC 22 T 10 FF 22 | CMB +4, CMD 14 | F: +11, R: +6, W: +17 | Init: +0 | Perc: +20, SM: +19, Dipl.: +24 | Reroll 1/1 | Chaldira trait reroll 1/1 | Knowledge 8/8 | Darkvision 60ft | Speed 20ft | Active condition: heroism, barkskin, magic vs evil, heightened awareness
Female Aasimar (plumekith) Inquisitor 5/Evangelist 1 | AC 19/14/15 | HP 44/44 | CMD 19 | F +7, R +8, W +9 | Init +7 | Perception +12 | Resist Acid, Cold, Electricity 7
Galilah:
AC 22/15/17 (24/17/19) | HP 37/37 | CMD 23 | F +6, R +9, W +2 | Perc +5
Conditions:
Bull Aspect
"The thing is meant to combat fiends, isn't it? If there's anything hostile here, the monolith could be trying to attack it. Unless something has gone awry...but I think we should wait. If nothing else, we'll be less in the dark."
Male N Dwarf from Qadira - usually talking business or about the past | Flame Spirit Shaman (Speaker for the Past) 9 | HP 98/98 + 12/12 Temp HP | Resistance Fire 10 | Now: AC25 / AC 27 vs evil, Normal: AC 22 T 10 FF 22 | CMB +4, CMD 14 | F: +11, R: +6, W: +17 | Init: +0 | Perc: +20, SM: +19, Dipl.: +24 | Reroll 1/1 | Chaldira trait reroll 1/1 | Knowledge 8/8 | Darkvision 60ft | Speed 20ft | Active condition: heroism, barkskin, magic vs evil, heightened awareness
”Let us go to the light! I have the feeling that something is not right here!“
Sunlight streams in as you open the heavy stone doors. Like the first room you entered, this small room is open to the sky. Within the room is a tidy camp consisting of six tents. A few sheets of canvas stretched between rivets in the wall provide shade to a table and chairs.
Male N Dwarf from Qadira - usually talking business or about the past | Flame Spirit Shaman (Speaker for the Past) 9 | HP 98/98 + 12/12 Temp HP | Resistance Fire 10 | Now: AC25 / AC 27 vs evil, Normal: AC 22 T 10 FF 22 | CMB +4, CMD 14 | F: +11, R: +6, W: +17 | Init: +0 | Perc: +20, SM: +19, Dipl.: +24 | Reroll 1/1 | Chaldira trait reroll 1/1 | Knowledge 8/8 | Darkvision 60ft | Speed 20ft | Active condition: heroism, barkskin, magic vs evil, heightened awareness
Toral looks at the woman in a way that shows that they can see her.
"Lady, please stop hiding! We are Pathfinders as well here to help. We heard you are sick!" Toral says and approaches.
Female Aasimar (plumekith) Inquisitor 5/Evangelist 1 | AC 19/14/15 | HP 44/44 | CMD 19 | F +7, R +8, W +9 | Init +7 | Perception +12 | Resist Acid, Cold, Electricity 7
Galilah:
AC 22/15/17 (24/17/19) | HP 37/37 | CMD 23 | F +6, R +9, W +2 | Perc +5
Conditions:
Bull Aspect
"Snakes," Melea murmurs before setting her bow at her back. "The Aspis? We would never work with them. If you mean something more akin to lizardfolk, this is likely still true.
"But here, maybe you could explain further? That would help us both. I've laid down my weapons, we can talk, right?"
Arbiscar grumbles "Why everybody seems so eager to make us lose the time?" but he does nod at the questions supporting and willing to know the answers.
While the exchange continues he turns back to defend the rear of the party against any attempt of ambush.
Aspis? No, the real snakes. If you want to see what I mean, go look in the crack in the wall down the way there. Have you spoken to Juliet? Arletta seems wary of you and the others.
Any attempts to calm or convince her? Bluff, Intimidate, or Diplomacy, please.
Male N Dwarf from Qadira - usually talking business or about the past | Flame Spirit Shaman (Speaker for the Past) 9 | HP 98/98 + 12/12 Temp HP | Resistance Fire 10 | Now: AC25 / AC 27 vs evil, Normal: AC 22 T 10 FF 22 | CMB +4, CMD 14 | F: +11, R: +6, W: +17 | Init: +0 | Perc: +20, SM: +19, Dipl.: +24 | Reroll 1/1 | Chaldira trait reroll 1/1 | Knowledge 8/8 | Darkvision 60ft | Speed 20ft | Active condition: heroism, barkskin, magic vs evil, heightened awareness
”Please calm down! Yes Juliet is acting strangely. It is good that you seem reasonable. Please tell us everything!“
She looks you over, then seems to reach a decision. "There's some sort of creature here, inside that central chamber. I think it's trapped there. It has everyone under it's sway, and it's convinced them that it's some sort of protector, calling itself the 'Starwatcher Spirit'. It had ahold of me, too, until bumped into that sphere up there." She points to the faintly glowing ivory sphere on the raised platform. "That broke whatever hold it was, so I could see the truth!" She looks around conspiratorially. "I pretended to be sick so I could get away from them. I've been trying to figure out how to free their minds, but more importantly, I've been protecting this." She opens her satchel to reveal a solid stone disc, about seven inches in radius and one inch thick, that glows with a light similar to a light spell. "Whatever that creature is, it convinced us that we should put these through the crack in the wall of it's room; for 'safe keeping'. We've already put two in, one with a fainter, purplish glow, and one that was as bright as the sun. I don't know what it wants with them, but I'm terrified what will happen when that stupid iron brute breaks down the door in there."
Male N Dwarf from Qadira - usually talking business or about the past | Flame Spirit Shaman (Speaker for the Past) 9 | HP 98/98 + 12/12 Temp HP | Resistance Fire 10 | Now: AC25 / AC 27 vs evil, Normal: AC 22 T 10 FF 22 | CMB +4, CMD 14 | F: +11, R: +6, W: +17 | Init: +0 | Perc: +20, SM: +19, Dipl.: +24 | Reroll 1/1 | Chaldira trait reroll 1/1 | Knowledge 8/8 | Darkvision 60ft | Speed 20ft | Active condition: heroism, barkskin, magic vs evil, heightened awareness
Toral’s eyes widen in horror!
”Oh dear Chaldira! Aid us in this hour!! We have to somehow stop this dumb construct! And we have to find out what these discs are good for! Where should we start?!“
Steep, narrow stairs lead up to the platform with the sphere, thirty feet above the lower chambers. The platform faces south, with a commanding view of the Terwa Uplands. An immense ivory hemisphere fills the platform, leaving only a few feet of stone around its edges. If this balcony once had a railing, it has long since crumbled away, leaving a vertiginous drop to the stones below. Mosaics along the north wall of this platform depict sway-backed cyclopes spreading white dust upon their foreheads and helmets appearing upon their heads. The ivory sphere itself resembles the sphere you saw at Azlant Ridge; as you approach, you can see that it is, indeed, active. A soft white light glows from within, though it is difficult to see in the bright sunlight of this roofless chamber. Examining up close, you can also see that the sphere seems to be covered in a fine white powder; a smudge in the powder in one place allows the light to shine through even more brightly.
Just a reminder you encountered a magic fountain earlier. Interact or ignore? Arbiscar, the orb definitely emanates a magical aura. You're not exactly sure the nature of it yet. Touch it?
"Please, can you give it to us? It might be important to resolve our mission and save your friends" Arbiscar does indeed touch it in order to inspect its nature.
"We should definitely try out the fountain we found before. And then we can try to convince the other archeologists to free them" and looking again to Toral "But you are right bro. We have to face the monolith before it breaks through"
Just to clarify. There is the small stone she is carrying giving off light as per the spell. There is a much larger stone described above not unlike the large orb at the excavation dig site. The smaller stone looks about this size:
Earlier description where the monolith was. wrote:
The north wall contains four large panels, each eight feet above the ground with a central gap about seven inches wide and an inch deep. Above the four panels are blocky letters, and below them, mosaics featuring sway-backed cyclopes. The chamber’s floor displays a stylized depiction of Golarion and its moon traveling around the sun.
Spoiler revealed by Grayson:
The inscription reads “The MOON set within the VOID reflects the SUN but does not obscure the STARS”
