You move to Dhiara's side and enter her Sage Jewel!
Dhiara meditates within a mountain monastery. A young girl pleads for her help as a minotaur gores the child to death.
Then the minotaur ages and turns to dust. A king beseeches Dhiara’s assistance as hobgoblins enslave his people.
Then knights slay the hobgoblins, and orcs fell the knights in turn, all falling into dust.
The world continues in this fashion, the cycle unending.
Dhiara seems lost in contemplation.
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"Dhiara! Master! What in the world is happening here? Like, the time for contemplation has passed. Irori demands action, not just contemplation!"
He walks towards the sage, placing a hand on her shoulder he tries to shake her.
"Dude! Snap out of it!"
He glances up, and strides towards a flickering Minotaur- threatening a small child as it cries out. "This is what enprisons you? These are nothing!" and he lashes his Kama out against the beast.
Without breaking her meditation, Dhiara responds. "I first thought ... what is the point of action against the unstoppable flow of time, dragon? We will all be dust soon. Better to meet one's fate without unnecessary turmoil."
Amenopheus makes a step forward and his clouded mind continues to follow the orders of Tahari.
He casts defensively and sends another ball of fire into the center of the room!
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Ischell taps into his divine bond, and his double-chained kama glows red with divine energy
"But master, Irori demands growth and purpose- not abandonment and hopelessness. I can, like, hold them back- but it is your inner strength that will deliver us. You must remember your inner strength, man!"
[ooo]Very sorry! 20 ft radius fireball! So only Ahn, Ischell and Athum are affected. Athum still needs to do the reflex save.[/ooc]
Round 6
Peridot (cognatogen; 6 CON damage; 7/48 hp)
Frost (44/65hp)
Torch (dazed; 1 CON damage; 57/69hp )
Sinuhotep (dazed; 59/122hp)
Amenopheus (staggered, controlled; 4 CON damage; 49/61hp)
Agate (in cloudkill, 43/43hp, dim doored; greater stunning barrier; hedged out by Well of Evil)
Dhiara (1 CON damage; 57/69hp)
Tahari (8 damage)
Athum (-1/66hp, dying, stabilisation roll needed)
Tahonikepsu (2 CON damage; 166/195hp)
Ishell (27/53hp, 10nl damage, ablative barrier, fly)
Ahn (56/83hp; life link to Frost; nimbus; in cloudkill)
Spinel Sage Jewel, (inert)
Onyx Sage Jewel, (inert)
Active effects: Well of Evil (sicken vs Good); Nimbus
Dhiara may act!
Tahari's cloudkill spell continues to drift. Agate and Ahn remain within, as does the lich Sinuhotep.
"How dare you! How dare you think to take what is mine! I who brought down empires will not be stopped by you!"
The ghost of Black Moon emerges from the wall of the balcony, flying over the head of Tahonikepsu . The time dragon snaps her jaws at the ancient necromancer, who barely notices.
Tahari concentrates for a moment. A black pit opens up beneath Frost and Peridot.
Combat round 6
Peridot (cognatogen; 6 CON damage; 7/48 hp) Ref save needed
Frost (44/65hp) Ref save needed
Torch (dazed; 1 CON damage; 57/69hp evasion, took no damage from fireballs)
Sinuhotep (dazed; 59/122hp)
Amenopheus (staggered, controlled; 4 CON damage; 49/61hp)
Agate (in cloudkill, 2 CON damage; 34/34hp, dim doored; greater stunning barrier; hedged out by Well of Evil)
Dhiara (1 CON damage; 57/69hp)
Tahari (17 damage - flying 30' above floor).
Athum (-1/66hp, dying, stabilisation roll needed)
Tahonikepsu (2 CON damage; 166/195hp)
Ishell (27/53hp, 10nl damage, ablative barrier, fly)
Ahn (1 CON damage; 56/83hp; life link to Frost; nimbus; in cloudkill)
Spinel Sage Jewel, (inert)
Onyx Sage Jewel, (inert)
Active effects: Well of Evil (sicken vs Good); Nimbus
The bold may act!
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With Tahari moving out of the stone, Ischell lashes out with his Kama- striking the wall between him and her. He takes a deep breath, focusing energy on his hands, before darting off after the flying wizard.
He takes to the air, and settles 20 feet away from the wizard before sending his kama streaking towards the evil creature.
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Ahn stumbles out of the cloud, hacking and coughing...
And glancing around, he sees so many injured, Anthum down... and so much more fighting to be done "Ragathiel shine down upon me... let me channel your will... to be your wings, protecting these great warriors as they exact due vengeance this day!"
Ahn channels... same radius as the Nimbus
(+8 for Fey foundling - Ischell, Ahn) - LOH 6 used of 14
Seeing tahari, "... AND LET ME BE YOUR SWORD TO SMITE THIS WRETCHED ABOMINATION!" Smite Tahari
Nimbus
30' Radius - 9/10 rounds
Anyone within 30' heals 1d4 of ability damage (once per day, any time in the minute)
+1 Moral Bonus AC, Attack, Damage, Saving Throws Vs Fear
Tahonikepsu, the Diamond Sage - No Con Damage
Ahn - Can I wait to apply this until he has more con? If not, healed the -1
Frost- No Con Damage
Ragnar slain - :(
Peridot 6 constitution damage - Heal 1d4 ⇒ 1 - Nimbus used
Amenopheus, the Sapphire Sage 3 constitution damage with - Not in Nimbus - IS ENEMY so no heal
Agate - No Con Damage - nimbus now used
Athum THINK he's at -3 1d4 ⇒ 3 - Nimbus Used
Ischell - -2 - healed 3 - Nimbus used
Dhiara, the Topaz Sage - 2 con damage 1d4 ⇒ 1 - Nimbus used
Grandmaster Torch 1 con damage - Not in Numbus Now healed
Sinohotep, the Amethyst Sage - No Con damage
Spinel Sage Jewel, - No con Damage
Onyx Sage Jewel - No con damage
Peridot falls - but as she does so the Diamond Sage Tahonikepsu speaks, and the doctor's fall is slowed.
"WITCH! You think a talent for plague makes you better than ME?" roars Tahonikepsu as she snaps at the incorporeal herbalist.
Ischell smites Tahari, his enchanted kama and holy might causing Black Moon to take notice of him.
Ahn emerges from the deathly fog and channels healing energy.
Combat round 7
Peridot (cognatogen; 6 CON damage; 7/48 hp; 30' down a hole)
Frost (65/65hp)
Torch (dazed; 1 CON damage; 69/69hp)
Sinuhotep (dazed; 59/122hp)
Amenopheus (staggered, controlled; 4 CON damage; 49/61hp)
Agate (in cloudkill,; 34/43hp, dim doored; greater stunning barrier; hedged out by Well of Evil)
Dhiara (1 CON damage; 69/69hp)
Tahari (42 damage - flying 30' above floor).
Athum (17/66hp, prone)
Tahonikepsu (185/212hp)
Ishell (53/53hp, ablative barrier, fly)
Ahn (1 CON damage; 78/83hp; life link to Frost; nimbus)
Spinel Sage Jewel, (inert)
Onyx Sage Jewel, (inert)
Active effects: Well of Evil (sicken vs Good); Nimbus
Round 7! The bold may act!
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Frost can see Tahari is still wreaking havoc but is currently out of reach. Realising that a controlled Amenophus is a bigger problem than the mostly defeated undead that has been forced down to parlour tricks like pit creation, Frost moves to Amenophus to attempt to solve the problem - entering his mindscape.
[ooc]I Assume this unfolds as it does, I sort of missed how it all works in real-time vs head space-time.
The shining Paladin strides forth "Amenophus, it is time this charade came to an end. You must arise and defend the legacy of the sages, countless Pathfinders who look up to the wisdom of the collective sages count on YOU to lead your peers in throwing off the shackles of the foul Tahari. Ragathiel himself has sent me, his agent, to aid you in delivering righteous vengeance against this foul beast whos crimes against us all are unforgivable. Arise, throw off the shackles, and do what you must to preserve the Sages and the proud legacy they have forged."
Diplomacy
Frost races to the Sapphire Sage's side, and enters his mindscape.
A weary and worn Amenopheus sits alone in a room before a pile of books and scrolls. The Ruby Prince Khemet III enters, sick and frail. "Help me Amenopheus! You are supposed to be wise!" Amenopheus grasps at scroll after scroll, but each crumbles to dust at his touch. Khemet III turns away in disgust. Grandmaster Torch is carried into the study in his bathtub, borne by four burly half orcs. Suds slosh all over Amenopheus' scrolls. Torch presents two sage jewels, one deep green and the other brilliant yellow. "Looking for these, old man?" Amenopheus eagerly trades everything he has for them, only to watch the jewels fracture in his hands. Tahonikepsu enters, knocks Amenopheus to the floor, and takes his chair. "This is my study!" he protests. "Was. Was yours, now it's mine. It's all mine." Amenopheus lies crumpled on the ground, defeated.
Peridot, trapped in the pit, heals herself a little.
Even as a new battle begins in his mind, Amenopheus goes through the rote motions of casting yet another fireball, bursting it in the midst of the ritual space.
Tahonikepsu is singed. "Bloody wizard! I knew I should have led the ritual!"
Combat round 7
Peridot (cognatogen; 6 CON damage; 16/48 hp; 30' down a hole)
Frost (65/65hp) Ref save needed
Torch (dazed; 1 CON damage; 69/69hp)
Sinuhotep (dazed; 59/122hp)
Amenopheus (staggered, controlled; 4 CON damage; 49/61hp)
Agate (in cloudkill; 34/43hp, dim doored; greater stunning barrier; hedged out by Well of Evil)
Dhiara (1 CON damage; 69/69hp)
Tahari (42 damage - flying 30' above floor).
Athum (17/66hp, prone) Ref save needed
Tahonikepsu (168/212hp)
Ishell (53/53hp, ablative barrier, flying 20' up) Ref save needed
Ahn (1 CON damage; 78/83hp; life link to Frost; nimbus) Ref save needed
Spinel Sage Jewel, (inert)
Onyx Sage Jewel, (inert)
Active effects: Well of Evil (sicken vs Good); Nimbus
The bold may act!
A mortal Sinuhotep traverses a catacomb with a conjured djinn ally. "Come, Sinuhotep! A bottomless chasm is no obstacle to Hassan al-Qadir!" The djinn carries Sinuhotep deeper into the catacombs... A fierce battle breaks out with a group of fiends, Sinuhotep is beaten back, but al-Qadir forms a whirlwind and carries off the attackers... Sinuhotep gazes at an ancient canopic jar, whilst al-Qadir battles a skeletal dragon in the air above... the dragon breathes a gout of flame at the djinn, "I am doomed Sinuhotep, it will catch me! Help me! Attack it now and finish it!" But behind Sinuhotep you see the shade of Aryana Tahari. "The djinn has served his purpose, and is only your conjured servant. Take it, Sinuhotep! The secrets within will grant you great power!" Sinohotep takes the jar and runs, leaving the djinn to his fate.
The world shifts, and Sinuhotep is in a ritual chamber. He cuts the heart out of a living sphinx and places it in the ancient jar, whilst the shade of Tahari looks on smiling.
The world shifts once more, and in a cavernous chamber Sinuhotep holds up a chalice. "I have done so much to reach this point. Was it all worth it?"
"Yes, Sinuhotep!" answers the shade of Tahari. "Drink the midnight milk! Die, and become immortal! The Order of Jeweled Sages must not end with you!"
Sinuhotep drinks, and lies down, his head cradled in Aryana Tahari's lap as he closes his eyes.
Dhiara is up!
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"Let's apply some logic to this situation," Agate says firmly. "Tahari killed an Osiriani paladin and then used him for her own ends. What respect would she have for the ancient rituals?"
"Don't you remember all the years you must have spent studying the papyri? I have tracked down and read only a little of the lore, and I know you are far, far ahead of me."
"Did she catch the sphinx for you? Did she recite the words? Did she really have anything to do with it?"
Sinuhotep opens his eyes and looks up at you - the eyes are cold and glassy. He sits up, his skin cracking as he does so. "Respect?" His voice is dry and rasping. "Respect is due to one's betters. You are right, I am far, far beyond you. As Aryana Tahari is far beyond me. She led me, guided me. But for her wisdom I would be nothing."
The shade of Tahari chuckles softly, and beckons Sinuhotep to return to her embrace. He does so willingly.
Tahari focuses on the threat presented by Ischell. "Paladins. How I love to see them fail. Oh, you should have seen the look on Dalla's face when he realised he was infected!"
She floats back, out of the reach of both Tahonikepsu and Ischell. She fires a black ray at Ischell.
Ischell's divine protection deflects the beam!
"Damn you!"
Tahari concentrates again...
There's a glimmer of light around Ischell for an instant.
Tahari screams in rage at her ineffective attacks.
The cloudkill vapours roll onwards.
Combat round 7
Peridot (cognatogen; 6 CON damage; 16/48 hp; 30' down a hole)
Frost (65/65hp) Ref save needed
Torch (dazed; 1 CON damage; 69/69hp)
Sinuhotep (dazed; 59/122hp)
Amenopheus (staggered, controlled; 4 CON damage; 49/61hp)
Agate (in cloudkill; 34/43hp, I CON damage; greater stunning barrier; hedged out by Well of Evil)
Dhiara (1 CON damage; 69/69hp)
Tahari (42 damage - flying 35' above floor).
Athum (17/66hp, prone) Ref save needed
Tahonikepsu (168/212hp)
Ishell (53/53hp, ablative barrier, flying 20' up) Ref save needed
Ahn (1 CON damage; 78/83hp; life link to Frost; nimbus) Ref save needed
Spinel Sage Jewel, (inert)
Onyx Sage Jewel, (inert)
Active effects: Well of Evil (sicken vs Good); Nimbus
The bold may act!
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Ischell narrowly avoids the worst of the fireball, able to curl his back towards the blast at the last second. The fire washes over his skin, some being diverted magically and others being absorbed into his person seemingly without effect.
The blast is quickly followed by a sickly black ray, which strikes Ischell right on the enblazoned hand of Irori across his chest. The hand pulses blue, and the magical energies dissipate. Another blast of arcane energy surrounds the Paladin, before if finally the energy fades having grasped at nothing.
Ischell moves towards the woman, floating again just into range of her. He lashes his Kama out at her over and over and over again, a roaring scream accompanying the attacks.
"I"
"WILL NOT"
"Fail!!!"
Each of his attacks, despite being guided by his anger, miss the elusive necromancer. Shaking off the desperation of the moment, his hands glow with a magical power before his wounds begin to close.
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Nimbus
30' Radius - 9/10 rounds
Anyone within 30' heals 1d4 of ability damage (once per day, any time in the minute)
+1 Moral Bonus AC, Attack, Damage, Saving Throws Vs Fear
Tahonikepsu, the Diamond Sage - No Con Damage
Ahn - Numbus Applied
Frost- No Con Damage
Ragnar slain - :(
Peridot Nimbus used
Amenopheus, the Sapphire Sage 3 constitution damage with - Not in Nimbus - IS ENEMY so no heal
Agate -Nimbus Used
Athum Nimbus Used
Ischell - Nimbus used
Chiara, Nimbus used
Grandmaster (Should be con healed) Numbus Used
Sinohotep, the Amethyst Sage - No Con damage
Spinel Sage Jewel, - No con Damage
Onyx Sage Jewel - No con damage
Ischell flails at Tahari, but his anger clouds his mind and his blows fail to find his target.
Tahonikepsu's bite causes Tahari a small injury.
Ahn heals Athum, who avoids a fiery death.
Frost you have two more skill checks to make in Amenopheus' mindscape.
Combat round 8
Peridot (cognatogen; 6 CON damage; 16/48 hp; 30' down a hole)
Frost (30/65hp)
Torch (dazed; 1 CON damage; 69/69hp)
Sinuhotep (dazed; 59/122hp)
Amenopheus (staggered, controlled; 4 CON damage; 49/61hp)
Agate (in cloudkill; 34/43hp, I CON damage; greater stunning barrier; hedged out by Well of Evil)
Dhiara (1 CON damage; 69/69hp) ready action: disrupt Amenopheus' casting
Tahari (51 damage - flying 35' above floor).
Athum (21/66hp)
Tahonikepsu (168/212hp)
Ishell (53/53hp, flying 25' up)
Ahn (1 CON damage; 61/83hp; life link to Frost; nimbus)
Spinel Sage Jewel, (inert)
Onyx Sage Jewel, (inert)
Active effects: Well of Evil (sicken vs Good); Nimbus
The bold may act!
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"Enough of the wallowing and navel-gazing. You can saw the sawdust for only so long before you must tear your eyes from the past and look to the future. This no longer serves you"
Diplomacy
"Now that we have discussed that, the greatest threat to the legacy of the sages right now is you. Your failure to throw off the yoke of Tahari is causing great damage to others - and you must now choose between rising up and doing what is right, or face your own destruction and that of the sages - because one way or the other, if that yoke doesn't come off, your imminent destruction is most assured. You cannot be allowed to remain a puppet under her control, and if that is not prevented she will destroy you anyway. Rising up and embracing your destiny is the only sensible choice - reach out and I will take your hand and lead you to victory!"
Diplomacy
Frost steps out of the sages mind and tends briefly to her wounds.
Lay hands
Her hand grasps her sword tightly, waiting to see the result in the sages eyes - knowing that his failure to awaken will inform the next action of her blade.
In Amenopheus' mindscape...
The Sapphire Sage seems to notice Frost for the first time. "Frost? What are you doing here? You're supposed to be assisting with the ritual so that we can defeat..." realisation dawns on Amenopheus "... Tahari!"
The Sage looks about his surroundings. "Curse her! She is stronger than I thought. She trapped me in my own memories - her control of the Jewels is most impressive! But I am NOT her puppet! I am Amenopheus, the Sapphire Sage. The Sapphire Jewel belongs to ME! I will not let her have it! Let us finish what we started Frost."
He stands, and the mindscape disintegrates entirely. A sapphire glow orbiting Tahari's head is extinguished. Both Frost and Amenopheus come to their senses, as Frost heals her wounds.
"Gods, what has happened here?!" Amenopheus sends a flurry of bolts of magical force at Tahari's ghost, but the missiles are absorbed harmlessly by Tahari's abjurations. "A Shield spell! Sinuhotep, bring it down! Sinuhotep?"
Peridot consumes an extract.
Combat round 8
Peridot (cognatogen; 6 CON damage; 16/48 hp; 30' down a hole)
Frost (46/65hp)
Torch (dazed; 1 CON damage; 69/69hp)
Sinuhotep (dazed; 59/122hp)
Amenopheus (4 CON damage; 49/61hp)
Agate (in cloudkill; 34/43hp, I CON damage; greater stunning barrier; hedged out by Well of Evil)
Dhiara (1 CON damage; 69/69hp)
Tahari (51 damage - flying 35' above floor).
Athum (21/66hp)
Tahonikepsu (168/212hp)
Ishell (53/53hp, flying 25' up)
Ahn (1 CON damage; 61/83hp; life link to Frost; nimbus)
Spinel Sage Jewel, (inert)
Onyx Sage Jewel, (inert)
Active effects: Well of Evil (sicken vs Good); Nimbus
The bold may act!