Thron's Altered Kingmaker (Now Litejedi's)

Game Master Litejedi

She gestures broadly as they walk, ”Absalom, the city at the center of the world, Sootscale. I believe this is close to the largest city of the Golarion - though certainly not in all the planes. My understanding is that they learned eons ago that a city could profit much more from accepting those who are different, instead of shunning them.”

She points after the man, ”I expect that was an arcane magic user, and that was a familiar of theirs, a cassisian angel. It agreed to aid the man who is likely on a lifelong mission of benevolence. Angels normally reside in the heavens,” She doesn’t point up, but says, ”sort of… a place where good exists and suffuses the essence of the place. The angel used one of its innate abilities to sense evil, and was so disgusted by the presence of the evil of Abbadon, a plane of existence diametrically opposed to the good of heaven, they and their master left as soon as they could.” Shrugging, ”seems most logical to me. Let’s go quickly so someone less noble doesn’t try to kidnap you and pry it out of your head, yes?” She smiles brightly at Sootscale, and she seems relieved that the little fellow wants the gem out.

As Vincent and Sophie talk about children, Chrysa stays near Impeek, in case their new dwarf friend decides to take matters into his own hands.

Baltor is beyond unhappy and furious about the whole situation, and he makes it very clear. His kin has always been enemies to the kobold, and he makes sure the others know why... he speaks of their mischief and jealousy, of their greed and shortsightedness.

Once Sophie speaks about the dangers of a kobold king possessing de Oculus, Baltor agrees wholeheartedly, also saying that no dwarf would sleep while Ipmeek remained alive and that quests would be called to vanquish him.

He'd have even attacked Ipmeek and risk fighting Chrysa if the foolish kobold had also not agreed that he wanted the Oculus removed from his head. Sophiel talked to him about bringing the artifact to Highhelm, since the priests of Torag would certainly know about a way to remove it, but Baltor could not bear the thought of bringing such evil and dangerous artifact to the heart of his kin's realm. The idea about the Vault of Abadar was a good one, though.

At the gate, Baltor watches as the angel inspects Ipmeek and before they leave, Baltor makes sure to say "they'll get rid of it". 'It', in his words, could be applied to both the artifact or Ipmeek, and Baltor did not clarify.

The group makes their way through the city, making a direct path for the Vault. Westgate is a mostly middle-class residential district on the western edge of Absalom's city districts. It is populated by merchants, shopkeepers, and up-and-coming citizens who can't afford more luxurious accommodations. This district is mostly residential, growing increasingly so as one travels closer to the city walls, yet there are also a number of shops interspersed throughout. A shadow washes over your group, causing several of you to look up, which lets you spy a group of knights fly past high overhead riding astride hippogriffs.

The Foreign Quarter is the city district in which much of Absalom's foreign population resides. The lower taxes for non-citizens in this section of the city have made it quite popular for immigrants from the rest of the Inner Sea region and beyond. Foreign merchants with businesses find the area particularly attractive. This area of the city has a distinct, culturally exotic feel, even compared to the city as a whole.

Ivy District is by far the smallest of the city's districts. It derives its name from its tree-lined streets, which attracts a wealthier and more aristocratic demographic than the seedier parts of town located down the bluff toward the harbor. Filled with manor homes, gardens, theaters, galleries, and discrete parlor houses, the Ivy District draws an eclectic array of artists, minor nobles and famous actors. It is also one of the safer parts of Absalom, relatively free from the violent crimes. The Ivy District is home to a large percentage of Absalom's elven and half-elven population, perhaps because of its natural beauty.

Finally, you approach the Vault, also known as “The Bank of Abadar.” While the Vault may appear to be unstable, it is sturdy and solid. As you approach, a pair of men in fine golden chain bow their heads to you in greeting as you pass. Once inside, it appears the Vaultis in the process of closing down for the day, but a young clergyman spots you and approaches you with a genuine smile. ”Welcome, welcome. How may we be of service?”

Sophiel takes in the sights as they go, mentally logging something, of some sort, but constantly distracted, as if waiting for a sudden attack. She only calms down once they step within the vault.

Sophiel says in a cheerful, but refined way, ”I cannot tell you how happy I am to be here. The short story is that we have a problem which I believe the church of Abadar is uniquely suited to solve.” She points at King Sootscale, ”the long story is: my companion here has found himself… cursed, of a sort. I am learned enough to have an inkling of the curse, but not the whole story. Would it be possible to get a consultation?” She pauses ”I am being vague deliberately because the object which has caused this curse seems to be… of some power. Only through sheer luck was I able to identify it. The wisdom of Abadar and his clergy, and their skill at minding and keeping dangerous objects safe, led to our bringing him and the object here - “ She gestures broadly, looking up ”to the Vault. Can you help?” She tilts her head slightly, and smiles at him.

diplomacy, humanoid?: 1d20 + 17 + 1 ⇒ (13) + 17 + 1 = 31

The priest looks at Ipmeek, seemingly noticing the lone gemstone eye for the first time, and his pleasant tone is breeched only briefly by the surprise of the sight. ”I see, I see. Let me have a look…” he says as he says a short prayer of magic and then looks at Ipmeek. He immediately recoils! ”Oh my!”

He closes his eyes and cancels the spell, blinking as if recovering from a bright light. ”Please…have a seat. I’m afraid this particular problem is beyond my skill. Let me see if the Keeper is still here…” he says before turning and walking quickly away.

Sophiel turns to the others after the priest departs, ”so far, so good, right?” She stands by nervously as she waits for whomever the keeper is.

"As well a reception as we could expect, yes." Chrysa entwines her fingers behind her back, waiting patiently. The glimmer of greed dancing quietly behind her eyes as she looks around.

Several minutes pass as more and more of the other visitors to the Bank conclude their end-of-day business and file out of the temple. After a wait that was longer than expected, the concerned priest returns, with a middle-aged brunette woman following behind, adorned in a golden breastplate bearing the Key of Abadar engraved above her heart. She is talking with a man walking in step with her, wearing steel plate armor with gold filigree, again the Key of Abadar prominently on display. He is a dour-looking man with close-cut blond hair, steely blue eyes, and a square jaw.

”…keep this brief. The District Council is meeting and Alain is likely to complain about the Brotherhood’s arrest of that actor you brought in.”

”Acting was just a cover for him, based on the fact he was caught in the act of pick-pocketing and had 8 other coin purses on his person,” he replies.

The first priest stops short and says ”Sir, Ladies, may I present Keeper Jostlin Ferqyr and Guardian Blade Bor Dralfo.”

”So,” Jostlin begins, ”this is the one eyed kobold you spoke of?”

Bor’s eyes fall on Ipmeek and his hand drops to the menacing hammer at his belt. ”My Lady, this kobold bears the strongest aura of darkness I have ever seen…” he says as he takes it in hand.

Sophiel holds up her hand, ”please, stay your weapons - he is not a threat. The kobold is not evil - the gem is. I believe it to be an artifact named ‘the Occulus of Abbadon’, a malign gem crafted by one of the… horsemen of the apocalypse? I think?” She looks reflective, ”apologies, my expertise is focused on other things. Anyway, it was held by an ancient Lich, the cyclops Vordakai. He woke from a multi-millennia slumber and set his sights upon the mostly-lawless land south of Brevoy - his former demesne. We uncovered his plot and tracked him to his lair, where we killed him. For good, apparently. My friend here, Ipmeek, the Sootscale, king of his tribe, reached to grab the gem and it did this to him.” She waves her hands slightly, ”entirely with magic.”

She looks nervously at the keeper, ”we ask for your aid, Keeper, as I know no safer place to hold this. It is an enemy to civilized folk, as it’s major power allows one so inclined to control large masses of people, but only to send them to their doom.” She tilts her head, ”safe because, in the end, it should either be destroyed or sealed away for eternity. The vault is impregnable, and had we brought it to… other… churches, more than likely, my friend would have been killed in the process. Respectfully, would you help us?”

"The gem would have to the removed without the death of the good king Sootscale." Chrysa adds.

Baltor understands the desire of the keeper to use his hammer against Ipmeek. Unlike the others, he doesn't vouch for the kobold since one of his own personal rules was "if you have nothing pleasant to say about someone, say nothing instead". Baltor wasn't a very likeable person, even considering dwarf standards, so he at least followed this rule.

As Chrysa mentioned the condition of not killing the kobold, Baltor felt the need to add. "If possible. Sootscale is a king o' his kin, afterr all, and as a king I'm surre he'd think firrst about his kin and theirr safety and last about his own life."

Jostlin Spellcraft: 1d20 + 21 ⇒ (3) + 21 = 24

Jostlin signals Bor to stand down, then leans in and looks over the gem in Ipmeek’s skull. After several long moments she stands back to her full height and shakes her head. ”Unfortunately, this item eludes me,” she says, her hand covering her lips and chin as she thinks. After a brief pause, she adds ”However, your luck may hold out. It just so happens one of Golarion’s premier mages is also a follower of the Wealthy Father…”

Bor’s shoulders slump and his eyes widen before he counters ”You cannot be serious…”

Jostlin shoots him a glare and replies ”Can you think of anyone else more skilled in this particular skill set?”

Bor seems unable to offer up an alternative.

”Then it is settled. If you would all bear with us and be patient, I shall send a runner to see if he is available to come examine this artifact with utmost haste. However, he is a very busy man, so I don’t know how long it will take for him to arrive. Until then, I suggest none of you leave the Vault. I will make arrangements for you all to be guarded, and Sir Dralfo and the Brotherhood will make certain you are safe,” she says, giving Bor a pointed look, to which he nods and maintains a focused eye on Ipmeek.

Chrysa didn't expect this to be quick, so isn't put out with the wait. "We spent all day fighting an ancient lich, so if you would be so kind would you mind sending someone for some refreshment." the baroness asks politely.

Sophiel nods thankfully, ”it’s to be expected. Only by a stroke of luck did I identify it - and our friend touched it more-or-less accidentally. Would you care for me to explain what I do remember, while we wait?”

She offers to go into detail about its powers.

She adds when Chrysa asks for refreshment, ”none for me - thank you.”

”Let us wait until Lord Constantine arrives. That way you will only need to tell the story once,” Jostlin says before taking her leave and speaking with a young priestess and giving her the message she is to deliver.

As you wait, some basic foodstuffs are presented. Nothing fancy. Seemingly some basics that are typically used in ceremonies and some simple wine. Nowhere near enough to satiate anyone who was significantly hungry, but it does take the edge off.

After about two hours, the doldrum is broken by the sound of the rhythmic clacking of a staff against the stone floor. Your eyes turn towards the front door, where a young man approaches, wearing an elegant pantsuit, a golden key brooch resting on his lapel. His hair is pulled back into a tight ponytail. His eyes glow with a blue radiance that obscures all other features of them. His skin, likewise is marked by blue, glowing, rune-like markings unlike anything you’ve seen before. In his hand is a black metal staff with a long, crimson gemstone clasped between four black, blade-like points. Resting upon his shoulder is a pseudodragon with scales as black as night. At his right is a beautiful angelic woman clad in armor.

Jostlin curtsies as he approaches, and Bor bows, albeit his seems forced.

”Lord Constantine. Thank you for coming,” Jostlin says.

Argor nods his head her way, but from the moment he got close his eyes have not left Ipmeek.

Jostlin turns to you all and says ”May I present Lord Argor Constantine. Fourth Spell Lord and Vice Primarch of Absalom.”

Sophiel bows as well, and is obviously relieved, to some degree. The bow is an sign of respect, denoting her fine, courtly training, though she is not acting like a groveling fool, "good day to you, sir. We are adventurers, of a sort. Each of us has been tasked with managing some part of an area somewhat far to the northeast, in the River Kingdoms. I don't know how much ... Lady Jostlin explained... "

She looks at the keeper briefly, then back to Lord Constantine, "we found this thing in our travels, and by pure luck I managed to figure out what it was. Unfortunately, we didn't know it would spring into my companion's head at the merest touch." She glances over at Chrysa, and says "we just want to get our friend well, and hopefully see the bloody thing stored if possible, or destroyed if not. It's a rotten item. I think it's only value is to someone who hates life, but I also know... such an act is not easy. We brought it to Absalom, to the first vault, to see if they could extricate it from his head, first, and then store it safely. We can provide an appropriate container, as well, if you'd like." She nods at Baltor as she says this, nervously, "few places on this plane could see this act done. My mistress has the power, but she is an enigma - and I cannot travel to her side with ease." She looks sheepish, "truth be told, I haven't met her even, and I'm not inclined to go running to her the first time I have a problem." She stands up a little straighter and smiles slightly.

"Some in my company see value of this thing, to the vault, and that may be so - I defer to the judgement of Abadar, and... well, you I suppose." She scratches the back of her head, "I know quite a bit about a large number of things, but that has limits. We are in over our heads, to be honest."

Planes!: 1d20 + 20 ⇒ (18) + 20 = 38
Nobility!: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (2) + 15 = 17

Argor gives Sophiel a small part of his attention as she speaks, but his focus is quite clearly directed at Ipmeek’s eye.

”And what is your current working hypothesis as to the nature of this artifact?” he asks.

She tilts her head, and tries to control her otherwise loquacious manner, ”well, I remembered a name: the Occulus of Abbadon. I don’t think it could be anything else. It allows the bearer to see quite well, near and far, and bind daemons to their will with significant ease. It’s most horrible power was used against some poor people in the River Kingdoms, though, to enslave their minds specifically to cause strife. I… we managed to save a great many of them, as the lich had imprisoned their souls in these.” She retrieves the empty soul jar, and offers it to Lord Constantine, ”but their leadership was wiped out.” She adds nervously ”I can also deduce that the powers are that, as he watched our behavior from afar quite efficiently - until we killed his familiar and got exiled from our native home for our trouble…” There’s an obvious note of bitterness, ”without Sootscale, that, and the fight, would have been impossible. As to the other powers, I am at a loss. I apologize for going on, I tend to get blabby when I’m nervous.” She seems nervous about the angelic figure, but not in a way that would reflect fear, but instead, like she’s trying to impress everyone.

”Your deductions are sound, but incomplete. There are, in fact, at least four of these, one for each of the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse. One has been destroyed. Another known to be located and secured. Another still missing. And now, this one,” he says as he steps closer. ”I theorize this one having been crafted by the Horseman of Death, Charon.”

He leans in close and looks straight into Ipmeek’s lone eye, narrowing his own as he makes his observations. After a long moment, he is seemingly satisfied and stands and turns to Jostlin. ”It is good you sent for me. Had this artifacts primary function not been expended, this gemstone could have easily eradicated nearly the entire city, had this kobold desired it.”

He turns back to you all and says ”Where you go from here, however, is quite a moral dilemma. The gemstone can be removed from his skull simply by mundane means. It will be painful, and leave him blind and scarred. Those can be remedied, of course, but will require powerful Magic’s to accomplish, as part of the items curse renders the vacated orbit no longer viable for normal means of healing one would normally be inclined to use to alleviate blindness, such as regeneration. It will require nothing short of a miracle or a wish to safely return a normal eye to the socket. Another to return both of his original eyes.”

He folds his arms behind his back and adds ”Then there is the matter of its destruction. A comparatively simple matter, the kobold could crush it with Bor’s hammer there, and it would be done, so long as it was done before his blindness was remedied.”

”However, I do believe it should be said that, so long as this kobold is not predisposed to the typical nature of its species, the gems more elaborate powers will not be able to function. It only works for those who are willing to commit malevolent deeds. While it does possess a limited and hateful intellect, it is not capable of communicating to or compelling it’s wearer in any way. But it will not function except for those willing to do such acts. So,” he paused and looks at Chief Sootscale, ”If you are able to be trusted that, for the rest of your days, you can refrain from such villainy, then the item is neutralized so long as it remains in your skull. But, should you perish or the item forcibly taken from you, then it has the potential to be used again to its full effect…”

Sophiel holds up her hands, after choking up a bit when Lord Constantine says ‘wish or miracle’, ”no, no, no no no, nope. We need to destroy the thing. If there’s one thing we’ve learned is that we aren’t invincible, right?” She questions her companions, ”it isn’t a matter of King Sootscale not being trustworthy, but we’re pretty likely to die soon…”

She laughs nervously and then composes herself, taking a deep breath, ”by chance, does anyone here know where we could get a miracle or two?”

"I have never been particularly good at those." Chrysa admits, as she looks over the mage. She finds the aura around him fasicnating. charisma 25! heck.

"So a wish or a miracle, or he keeps it and we hope when he dies eventually as we all will, that someone bad doesn't get their hands on it. Those are teh options?"

Argor smirks. ”As a matter of fact, I am capable of fulfilling wishes,” he says casually as he folds his arms across his chest. ”But, the reagents are expensive. Judging by the strength of the magic auras about you from your enchanted items, I have concerns as to your ability to acquire them…”

Sophiel nods and says, ”we certainly don’t have easy access to the reagents, nor could we get them but miracles would be possible. Perhaps we could find someone whom we could pay, perhaps someone who would appreciate that we are destroying an evil artifact? I use divine magic - so I know that so long as your deity agrees to the miracle, it’s usually granted, right? Plus - in my experience, wishes have too many strings and loopholes and such. It’s like the universe wants to punish people for making them.” She has a disgusted look on her face, ”it sounds like that’s a better option. I’m sure you know all sorts of lovely people on the big planet, any chums who would help?” She asks hopefully.

Chrysa crosses her arms defensively at the mention of their enchanted items "This is an artifact of one of the horsemen, which we are offering the vault to take out of the world. No fighting liches or mad wizards, nothing... other than helping our friend. One would think that the great Vault could help with those reagents you need." the baroness's eyes look to Jostlin and Bor.

Diplomacy, add an extra +1 for any humanoids!: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (12) + 18 = 30

Argor turns his eyes towards Sophiel for a bit, but soon enough he turns back towards the Ipmeek.

"ஓக்குலஸ் தாங்கி, நீங்கள் என்ன சொல்கிறீர்கள்? இவை அனைத்திற்கும் நீங்கள் அமைதியாக இருந்தீர்கள். அவள் உங்களுக்காக பேசுகிறாளா, அல்லது கையில் உள்ள விஷயத்தை நீங்கள் எடைபோட விரும்புகிறீர்களா?"

Baltor isn't sure why, but he doesn't like the wizard too much. He hears all he has to say about the Occulus and then Sophiel and Chrysa start some sort of negotiation about the costs of a miracle or wish, so Baltor thinks it is important to bring order to the conversation. "Ladies and Lorrds, parrdon my vorrds but ve have two distinct prroblems ahead o' us and vhile they arre somevhat connected, theirr rresolution arre not."

"Firrst, ve have the Occulus o' Abaddon vhich needs to be destrroyed orr, at least, securred in a safe place." He pauses, before continuing. "Second, ve have the matterr o' rreturrnin' Sootscale's vision."

"How his vision vill rreturrn and vho vill pay forr it doesn't matterr at all to the rresolution o' the firrst prroblem, vhich is the Occulus." He turns to Lady Jostlin and Bor. "Considerrin' how dangerrous the Occulus is to civilization, I do not believe it is an option to allow the Occulus to leave the Vault. To us, dvarrves, this is obvious, but the desirre o' one should neverr veight morre than the safety o' many." He looks to Sootscale and the others. "If Sootscale vants it rremoved orr not, is irrrelevant."

"Now, about his vision, perrhaps ve can find a differrent solution." He turns to Sophie and the wizard. "Even if Sootscale's vounded orrbits vould be currsed to not allow his eyes to be rregenenerrated, perrhaps an occulus o' ourr own could be crreated, another gem to grrant Sootscale vision, but not tainted by the evil o' Abaddon." He pauses before returning. "Failin' that, a mirracle vould be indeed needed, though I'm unsurre vhich deity vould agrree brringin' Sootscale's eyesight vorrthy o' Theirr time... he brrought this situation to himself out o' grreed and if he sees orr not is prrobably o' little consequence to Theirr grrand goals."

Baltor turns once more to Jostlin and Bor. "As Chrrysa pointed out, ve brrought out, the Vault paying forr the mirracle vould be an incrredible barrgain to the Vault, considerrin' how much the churrch vould cerrtainly be villin' to spend to launch a quest to rrecoverr such arrtifact should it have been discoverred nearrby in the hands o' a poverrful cyclop lich."

"Also, considerrin' the Occulus can't be allowed to leave the Vault, this trransaction could be seen as the Vault buyin' the arrtifact frrom Sootscale, and this also vould be a steal, since it is common knowledge that an arrtifact is a prriceless object." Baltor points out.

Argor’s eyes narrow as the adventurers try and haggle on the Vault assuming the cost of the magic at hand. ’Master Dwarf, I understand your position on this, but there are many other facets to take into consideration. The continued cost to properly store and secure an item of this magnitude, for one. Though, as I said, it is possible we can destroy it. Furthermore…”

Jostlin places a hand gently on Argor’s arm causing him to pause. ”They are right, Lord Constantine,” she says but turns a concerned eye your direction, ”But I am the most capable priestess in the Temple, and even I do not have the capability to behoove the Master of the Vault for direct intervention in the form of miracles.”

Argor raises an eyebrow and interjects ”Perhaps another arrangement can be made. Keeper, if I may?” as he gestures for the pair to have a private conversation. She nods and the two walk off to a side office.

Bor grumbles ”I can’t stand that man…”

After twenty minutes of talking, the two return. ”The Vice Primarch has offered to donate the diamond necessary for him to perform one of the spells to return the kobold’s vision after the gem is removed, if that is what we are doing?” she asks, looking to the Kobold chieftain.

Moving on:

After some deliberation, it is ultimately decided to remove the Oculus.

Argor excused himself briefly to go an acquire the proper diamond he will need for this spell. He and the angel are only gone about ten minutes before they return. He opens his hand to reveal a lustrous diamond, not overly large, but it’s cut, clarity, and brilliance are impeccable.

During the time he was gone, Jostlin arranges for a table to be brought out and some surgical tools, mostly consisting of small knives, are brought over. Once the diamond has arrived, she instructs Ipmeek to lie down atop the table. ”Be strong, little one,” she says sympathetically as she turns to everyone and says ”We are going to have to hold him down. Try and keep his thrashing to a minimum. This isn’t going to be painless,” she says.

Bor steps up and offers to hold a leg, while the angel approaches and holds Ipmeek’s left arm. ”Hey,” she says with a smile as she runs a hand soothingly over his head, ”My name is Adrenia. I’ll do whatever I can to keep the pain down, okay? I’m so sorry you have to go through this, but I admire your bravery for volunteering.”

Once everyone has a firm hold of Ipmeek’s appendages, Jostlin holds out a thick stick to bite down on. ”Just in case this gets bad. I don’t want you to bite your tongue off…”

Heal: 1d20 + 23 ⇒ (9) + 23 = 32

Then, Jostlin begins her work. The pain is immediate and intense, and everyone struggles to maintain hold of Ipmeek as his body reflexively begins trying to get away. ”SOMEONE HOLD HIS HEAD STILL!” Jostlin exclaims. A priest runs over and Adrenia steps over to hold his head as he takes the arm she vacated. ”Shhhhh. Shhhhh,” she coos as she leans in next to his ear and begins humming a light tune to try and calm and distract him, as impossible of a task as that is.

After about a minute of cutting, prying, and draconic shrieks, the gem is dislodged amidst a spurt of blood! It begins to flatter to the floor, but begins floating almost immediately and you all can see that Argor was using magic to manipulate it and keep it aloft and away from everyone.

Ipmeek takes 2 points of Constitution Damage, and takes a -4 Charisma penalty.

Argor then looks to you all and asks ”So, destroy it, or store it away? I would suggest it’s destruction, while the means is readily available.”

Sophiel watches, and then moves over to hold Sootscale’s hand nearby. She couldn’t hold him down with any strength, but she can try to comfort him.

She blanches a bit at the ruin of his face, and notes that he’s hurt. She adds quietly, ”shouldn’t we stop the bleeding first? After that - I think everyone agrees it should be destroyed while we have the chance.”

Sootscale consents to being held down for the extraction, but as it begins, instinctively thrashes against it. "Aaaaaahhhh! Let me gooooooooo!" he screeches in high-pitched Draconic. As the oculus disappears, Sootscale continues complaining "I can't see! I can't see! Blood seems to squirt out more forcefully due to his panic.

It is only the support he gets from Sophiel and Chrysa and the gentle ministrations of the angel Adrenia that get him to calm down a bit. He eventually stops screeching but doesn't stop complaining. "It hurts, it hurts, please help!"

Sophie holds his hand tightly, and puts her other on top of his, ”it’s over, you’re not bleeding. The next step is to smash it. Bors will give you his hammer to borrow, and we’ll point you towards it, okay?” She tries to sound reassuring.

"and then it will be over" Chrysa says softly with a ball of clenched anxiety and anger in her gut.

Sootscale continues in Draconic "Okay, okay, Sootscale will smash it! Give me the hammer!" The blind, anxious kobold is ready to do whatever it takes to hopefully restore his sight. He holds out his hand for Bors to give him the hammer and allows Sophiel and Chrysa to lead him to the right place. Then he musters all the strength his tiny frame can muster to bash the artifact into pieces!

Concealment: 1d100 ⇒ 23

His first smash is errant and thuds to the side, but he doesn't relent.

Concealment: 1d100 ⇒ 71

The second strike hits home!

Ipmeek’s second strike against the Oculus on the altar is true. While not overly forceful, the combination of unique circumstances seems to create a sort of arcane confluence, centered on the gem itself. Cracks of intense energy begin to appear on its surface, webbing out across it as a high pitched noise, similar to steam escaping a tea kettle, Sears from within it. A moment later, the artifact erupts in a brilliant flash of light that forces everyone present to shield their eyes as the gemstone explodes!

As silence returns to the Vault, Argor states ”The deed is done, and a dangerous curio is now gone from the world. You have made a wide decision. Keeper, I trust our agreement stands?”

Jostlin looks to Argor, some frustration evident on her face. ”Yes, Vice-Primarch.”

He nods and then holds the diamond between his fingers. He begins weaving an in-depth ritual, and the torches in the Bank seem to dim as the room grows dark due to the coalescing arcane energies at work. In a firm voice, Argor then says ”I wish that a functioning eye be conjured forth from the basic structural elements of the cosmos itself, without causing any unanticipated wayward harm or inconvenience to any living soul in the multiverse, to replace the lost orbit within the skull of the kobold standing near me, who goes by the name Ipmeek.”

The energies then begin to come together and pour into the bloody, raw socket resting squarely in the center of Ipmeek’s brow. He experiences a slight tingling as an eyeball is slowly formed within his head. As the energy subsides, his vision slowly begins to return! All those standing around him can see he once more has an eye, albeit just one, and the iris of which is crimson red, the same hue as the Oculus had been.

”Excellent,” Argor says before turning to depart. A nudge from Adrenia gets his attention, and she tilts her head towards the group, expectantly. He gives her a look and then turns back your way. ”I understand you have only just arrived here in my city. Do you need a place to stay?”

Sophiel watches the event holding his hand, and seems to be enraptured by the regeneration process. When Argor asks his question, it breaks her reverie, ”hmm? I don’t believe so. We have, always have pressing business. I can’t speak for anyone else, but once I buy some supplies, I intend to make my way back to our homes as soon as possible. I am their ‘ride’ … literally and figuratively, so I am bound to their whims.” She sighs and turns to Sootscale, ”I’ll try to get the rest of it fixed, post-haste, King Sootscale.”

"Getting back sounds like a good idea." Chrysa says thoughtfully as she looks at Impeek. "You looks truly terrifying now, but in a good way." she tells the chief, impressed on how well the single eye makes him look.

She smiles at him, and then turns her attention to their hosts "We have fought hard all day, where death and enforced undeath was easily the most possible outcome. While your hospitality would be greatly appreciated, all of us have responsibilities that require our attention." giving them a grateful nod, she adds "My thanks and respect are yours, forever and always, Jostlin and Argor."

"I can see, I can see!" cries Sootscale in Draconic as his vision returns. After jumping up and down in delight, he feels around his face to sense where his one eye is. Not exactly what he had hoped would happen, but he's not going to complain. "Thank you, Keeper Jostlin and Lord Argor! You always welcome in Sootscale lands," he proclaims, as if offering some great honor.

Sootscale blinks his one eye slowly. "World is not red anymore," he notes, and he smiles at Chrysa. "Tribe will respect kobold cyclops," he says confidently.

Sophiel pats him on the hand, ”whatever I can do to help, I will.” She looks back at the powerful people and smiles, adding ”truly, whatever deal you made with each other - it will be remembered forever in his lands, and in ours. It means a lot to us. You’ve given a exemplar of his people back a semblance of a life - something he can use to better our soggy end of Avistan. Truly his only mistake was curiosity, I believe, and I also believe that we are all the wiser for our experience. Right?” She dusts herself off, then stands ”right, well then, if any of you find yourselves in the River Kingdoms, look us up.”

Argor smiles, a very practiced smile, and says ”If you are in need of resupply, then fortune, it would seem, continues to smile upon you! Come with me, and I shall lead you to my Sanctum. It is the foremost location in the city for spell casting paraphernalia, artifacts, and reagents. Located in the neighboring Wise District as well, so you won’t need to travel far.”

”And rest is important. I can see that you are suitably accommodated. Individuals willing to give up the sort of power you had at your disposal for the sake of the greater good deserve nothing less than a fine meal and a nice rest, at the very least. Once your business is settled, I will see to it that you are treated like royalty at the Golden Raven, free of charge.”

Sophiel looks uneasily to Chrysa, and then back to Argor. She studies the wizard’s face, then nods slightly ”perhaps a short rest would be good. I don’t suppose we have any evidence that a few hours will kill anyone.” She looks at the others, ”do we?”

"Well... I am all about the greater good." Chrysa finds the notion of resting in a place that doesn't know her at all rather intoxicating all of a sudden. No daggers, no fae, no <things muttered in the corners of her mind that are not to be mentioned>. She turns to the others (not Soph since she just turned to the Chrysa side at the idea of reagents) "One night, we sell our good-begotten goods and buy things we need, since the nearest port of call to our lands now thinks it needs to separate itself from us." she is not deciding for them all, just heavily suggesting.

Sophiel holds her hand up, ”Mivon doesn’t hate us, and with the collapse of Isabella and Annalla’s… kingdom… I can build out roads which we could use to connect there, as well.” She takes a beat, ”well, I think Mivon doesn’t hate us at least. It’s a fair bit closer for me at least.”

She turns to Argor, ”I don’t suppose you have any seedlings or saplings of exotic trees? You know from all over Avistan and even elsewhere, the rest of Golarion? I don’t need herbs particularly, my druids handle all that, I mean big tree-ish trees.” She thinks a moment, ”even if you don’t I suppose it would be available somewhere here, if anywhere.”

As they walk, and Sophiel makes her request about trees, Argor replies ”An interesting request. I suspect you are interested in their acquisition for use of inter-plantary travel?” a smirk forming on his lips at the, in his mind, clever play on words. ”Unfortunately, Druidic magics are not something commonly sought for in the largest city in Avistan. Druids are typically not fond of spending much time here. As such, it can be difficult to find something that specific. I do maintain a greenhouse of exotic plants, but they are typically of the type for arcane reagents. Some divine works, as well.”

He looks to Sophiel and asks ”Correct me if I am wrong, but don’t most practitioners of Druidism usually use such a spell to jump from biome to biome, where tree species cohabitate, in order to cross such distances? A crude method of teleportation, requiring multiple castings, but a functional divine alternative. However, as to your initial request, I do have a small selection of seeds from fruit bearing trees around Avistan. Nothing overly exotic in nature, though exotic to individuals not from those regions.”

Sophiel nods, "I could do it that way. I had thought of it briefly, but it's inefficient." She has a disgusted look on her face, "I hate inefficiency. Since my ... ability... covers functionally, any distance, it's just simpler to own trees from everywhere. There are also many different biomes on Golarion, though few in Avistan concern themselves with the biomes of other continents. To this end, I doubt I'll need to get to Arcadia any time soon, but I expect that a visit to the Magaambya would be nice, or Tian Xia."

She smiles slightly, "so, one trip is always the best to avoid spending the resources, in my estimation. This ability was awoken in me, recently, and it's quite extensive. I can basically... tap into the ley lines that run across the world. Larger trees make a network, as of ley lines, their spirits are interconnected, like a web." She webs her fingers together. "It isn't even a spell, really. Not as you'd be familiar with it. More like an innate ability, like angels have, or demons."

"As to your note about Absalom, yes, it is anathema to a druid, it's true enough, but perhaps only one with limited vision. In five thousand years, will this city stand? I do not know. History says otherwise, except perhaps in a few places. At that point, when weeds grow in the cracks and vines crawl up ruined stone, I would wonder if the concern of some druids was overblown." She cocks her head, "the cycle of life and death continues with or without our help."

She sighs, again, and says "as to the crudeness of the magic, one takes advantage of the tools that one has. We can't all be wizards, you know. My mistress asked me to follow this path, or at least I think she did, and I obey if I can. Seems to be working out." She touches the area above her ears reflexively. "I expect things would have worked out less had I done something else. And these folks - " she gestures, "rely on me to be clever, and come up solutions, and so this is what I came up with. Take advantage of the tools you have, right?"

Baltor was silent during the whole procedure, taking care to watch the others and seek any sort of trickery... not that he mistrust them, but since they were dealing with an evil artifact, he'd be irresponsible if he was not worried. Once the deal is done, he visibly relaxes... a little bit.

He had left Restov with the goal to help against the lich and then to help in the development of the western region of the Stolen Lands, so while he wasn't in a hurry (since it takes time to build things properly), he would like to get it started as soon as possible. "I day vould be fine. I must say I have not paid much attention to tales about Absalom, since I had neverr anticipated I'd visit it, though I believe I could take the opportunity to buy some rrarre metals."

You all are free to shop and return to your lands at your leisure. You are treated, free of charge, to a night in one of the finest suites you’ve each ever experienced, treated like royalty.

You may each also do your next months kingdom turns.