Ahn, You sense a strong evil aura!!
All eyes are on Ahn!
Sinuhotep, the amethyst sage, turns around with an emotionless expression and raises his arms.
Nobody says a word ... silence is waiting to be breached...
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Taking a moment to get over his own reaction at the revelation, Athum steps up behind the gnome and gently place a hand on Ahn's. "Peace. I don't suppose that the other sages would be so easily duped into letting such a being among them without their knowledge. If I can overlook my distrust of Torch," he says, giving the man a hard look, "then I'm sure you can keep your piety in check for a time."
The lich still has his arms raised ... but he starts speaking.
”I am ancient, a scholar that feared that the Jeweled Sages would be wiped out. So convinced was I, that I performed experiments on myself to gain immortality, using my sage jewel as my phylactery. I am convinced that what I did was necessary ... “, he pauses for a moment, everybody still listening carefully to his words, ”... but I am not proud of my decisions. I ... I still reflect on the lost wonders of the Age of Destiny: flying cities, the pharaohs of old, and other incredible sights and feats ... “ he concludes with a sadness in his eyes that was empty moments before.
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Religion
Frost isn't sure what the nature of the man is, but the strong reaction from her fellow servant of Ragathiel immediately has her hand on her pommel, ready for things to get untidy.
"It probably says a lot about this fight, and the nature of what we are dealing with, that a lich is considered to be not on the side of the enemy but rather an asset or a resource that we find ourselves in treaty with. On a normal day we would be forthrightly looking to purge such a travesty against the living from the land, but this is no ordinary day, and our bond to the Society says we must honour our word of truce with its members, even though today our duty to extinguish such embodiments of evil force chafes against our duty to keep our word. Today I say that the oath to honour my word, and thus temper my anger is the greater because that is something in my control and to lash out would be entirely about putting our desires above our word"
"Today. Can't say what tomorrow brings" Frost looks on with an even gaze, no malice or threat, just a simple recognition that the arm of justice is long and eventual judgment is inevitable.
"Come Ahn, let us quietly aside and read His holy book and see what chapter and verse may aid our thoughts at such a time"
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"Outrageous... this is not about piety, it's common sense! What kind of world are we fighting for if we give a lich a pass? You've all heard the rumors of what a person must do to become a lich... vile!"
Ahn spits in disgust but relaxes his ready stance... looking up at everyone in the party... a tiny but vicious looking gnome.
"Let us finish our mission. We'll revisit the issue of the lich at another time."
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Ishell, once the accusation is made, opens his eyes to the sight granted by Irori- quickly confirming with his own senses the evil aura emanating from the jeweled sage.
He hands tense, and though he doesn't reach for a weapon- he clearly appears to be equipped for a fight. As the conversation unfolds, his hands loosen, though still his posture seems ready to react.
"The journey to enlightenment has many paths, though once decision are made they must be dealt with. Enlightenment is the pursuit of the living, and not the dead..." his voice trails off for a moment, before turning to the other pathfinders. "I am uncomfortable with this, dudes. It might end up being fine, you know? But thats a massive risk."
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Trokkus growls and raises his shield arm. "Liches ain't people. Ain't got souls, ain't got no chance at redemption." He backs away from the other sages, not knowing if he can trust them either, and starts casting a spell.
He glares at the lich. "I know when I'm outmatched, and I ain't gonna die like a fool when you got all your buddies here. But I reckon you best head back to your tomb. I got you marked, and I ain't going into no mission with you at my back."
The Diamond Sage listens to you all and contemplates ... after several seconds she nods.
”I am content that our alliance will prevail for another day. I am the leader of the order. I am eager, curious, and aggressive, often pursuing lengthy side tracks without fully engaging in pragmatic concerns. The preservation of history is my priority, and I treat every record, no matter how vile, as worth preserving. Sinuhotep was rescued by Pathfinders from his imprisonment recently... his research for the Sages and his loyalty to the order has saved thousands ... and surely his path to undeath has killed many. Our enemy is of another scale ... Tahari has genocide as her only goal by perfecting disease after disease ... “ and then she stops.
Sinuhotep remains silent but he lowers his arms and sinks his head to the ground.
Again, none of the Sages say a word - not even Torch.
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Peridot looks exasperated at the situation. " Paladins. They'll forgive mass ethnic cleansing and murder even of members of their own religion but undead will draw their ire like it's no tomorrow. Can we sort this out later when the potential apocalypse has been sorted. Not that I don't sympathize with you. I was there for the murders but let me remind you we are dealing with an incurable plague potentially and I don't want us to screw this up before we get there which is why worst than undead man is here.... Errr... Men?," she says.
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"Evil means ain't justified by good ends. Whatever we gotta get done, we can do it without this monster at our side! So get walkin', Sinuhotep. And if yer really sorry for what ya done, destroy yourself. Maybe the Lady of Graves will take mercy, and send yer soul back for a second chance as a rat or sumptin'."
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Athum sighs outwardly with exasperation. "I don't like the implications any more than you do, but don't use the "all-powerful" gods as a smoke screen for your insecurities. I don't like having Torch here either, considering all that he's done to the Society, but I'm willing to put aside my prejudices as well for the greater good. Can you say that your hands are clean, for the sake of "good"?" Athum emphasizes certain words with dripping sarcasm and unnecessary finger motions. "If you're not going to help, then step aside and let the grownups through. I, for one, would like to use whatever tools are available to me and get home in one piece."
Again, Torch does not say a word but he glares at Athum.
It is now Amenopheus that stops forward.
”I, the Sapphire Sage, am standing in front of you. I am a longtime ally of the Pathfinders and although only Agate knows me well, you should understand that although I am wry and businesslike ... in this case I am deadly serious about the threat Tahari poses!! To the whole world ... and to the order!“
He looks at Agate, then at each one of you.
”I feel responsible for the safety of my companions and would sacrifice myself before anyone else! Please trust in the Pathfinder Society’s decision to send Paladins to accompany the Sages - even though one of them might be the target of your wrath in normal situations!“ he says with deep sincerity and hope in voice.
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"Whoa, dudes. This ain't about who has done more wrong than who. I am not about to defend something like this dude over here... but, man. We are walking into some gnarly stuff and it's likely to only get worse, right? We might be needing whatever help we can find. Aint nobody says we gotta like the dude"
Ischell pauses for a moment.
"If Dhaira, a great master of my faith, sees this as the best course- then I will submit to her authority as paragon"
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No one ever listens to logic, but...
Agate finally speaks up. "I also trust the Society to know what it is doing. And I trust my fellow Sages. But also, if this ritual is meant to draw out Tahari's influence and destroy it... would it not be better to have as much of it present at the time to be destroyed?"
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"Agate, I DO trust the society knows what it is doing, but don't presume to know what that is... maybe it sent no less than four paladin's on this mission, for just this reason."
"What do we even need this... abomination... for? Other than sacrificing infants, what special skills does it have to offer that we, the living, can't provide for ourselves?"
"... and we're going to face a powerful necromancer... what's even going to keep her from turning this against us... if it's not already working against our goals?"
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”The Society has provided it succor and thus I keep my oath and my blade sheathed. It is greatly disappointing that they chose not to inform us of this earlier so that the matter might be debated more fully and with the guidance of the clergy who may have had greater insight to the bigger picture and the will of the gods, but clearly a decision was made - and I will suffer it under protest. If this thing is to accompany us then the quicker this is over with the better”
Frost approaches the Lich, Ragnar neighing fiercely and stomping hooves in frustration ”When this matter is done, we shall agree on a grace period of 24 hours, after that and let us both consider our compact complete and our truce be done. The chips may then fall where they may. We will purge the greater evil facing us now with flame and zeal, but once that force is snuffed, know that you yourself are the greatest evil. I understand your desire to preserve the ancient wisdom and customs of your people, but the blasphemy cannot go unanswered and there must one day be a reckoning - I am not of the redeemer, so I have no counsel to give you, I am of Ragathiel and only deal in swift delivery of the deserving into the waiting room of Pharasma where your accounts will be settled for eternity”
Frost leads back to the fellow paladins ”You must do as your conscience dictates, but my decision is to smite the greater evil, and grudgingly will I honour the Societies pact. I hope your suspicions are right and that the vile thing breaks it’s word, and then we can freely exercise our judgment upon it with complete righteousness and not a single vow could be argued to have been broken - I choose to let it run true to its own nature and break treaty. I would hope that you can put aside your understandable anger right now, for when it is time for the hammer of judgement to fall, the more of us to see it through ensures our success”
Frost leaves it at that, the path is never easy not straight, such is the road walked by the righteous.
”Such is the life of a paladin, one sh#&&y task after another”
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Looking each member of the party in the eyes, and realizing most don't see things his way, Trokkus nods to himself. He methodically removes his armor, dons a white tunic and caftan to help shield against the heat, and begins trudging into the desert in the direction of Merab. It'll be a long walk, and he's got a lot to think about.
Seeing Trokkus leave creates mixed feelings in the hearts of all participants.
Everybody believes to understand the decision but nobody will truly understand the motives and the strength needed to walk the path that this Pathfinder has chosen at this specific moment...
Sadness or guilt or fear form on most Sages’ faces and for some time nobody breaks the silence...
It is eventuality Dhiara that starts speaking.
”I wanted Trokkus to take a decision without my word. Walking the path to enlightenment sometimes necessitates to walk alone. As the Topaz Sage I am the newest Sage. I am not used to long-term membership in a team so I do not want to judge or pretend I understand all you Pathfinders’ sacrifice in this situation... “
She pauses and looks at all of you and especially lingers on Ischell.
”... but I will always remember the calm, reasoned discussion, and will always respect the discipline that was part of the decision of each of you!“
All Sages are listening to the elf ... almost as if this is also a test to her position in the order.
Dhiara looks in Trokkus’ direction again as he moves farther and farther away.
”I am a world traveler like you are. I test myself against villainy wherever I find it! But ... I attack each threat with a measured response calculated to maximize success and minimize risk. Thank you all for joining us Sages in our mission - in my eyes you have taken the same decision that I had to take eventually ... to support and protect my allies!!“
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"Our challenge lays before us, not in the decisions already made. We must be off, each with our own weights from this day and we must steel ourselves against regret. What is, is and what will be, will be."
The words come out calm and clear, his tone surprisingly formal. No "man" or "dude". Just simple resolve and attention- and for likely the first time, those around actually see a Paladin of Irori...
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Athum watches Trokkus walk away with a silent respect. "It takes a strong will to stand up for your beliefs, even in the face of your piers and allies." He takes another moment before turning to face the others. "But that strength is not what we need at this moment. Let's move forward with what's ahead of us."
* * * The Salvation of the Sages continues * * *
You proceed on foot toward the ruins of Resa. The sages travel alongside, many appearing lost in thought.
Tahonikepsu points out the village of Resa — now a flat stretch of desert, with a few scattered bricks the only sign of civilization.
* * *
Suddenly, the wind whips up as a deep feminine voice telepathically announces, “Home again at last.”
The ground shudders; then sand begins draining down unseen fissures and rising in plumes hundreds of feet high as buildings emerge from the desert. The sages realize the sage jewels are the source of the effect and hurriedly try to suppress it as the voice continues.
“Young, old, war hero, or coward — all served the Plague, and the Plague served me.”
In the village square, a basalt monolith suddenly looms amid an avalanche of humanoid bones.
“Living flesh may rebel, but the dead are ever so obedient.”
The bones twitch as a wave of unholy energy washes over the area.
Sickly gray flame illuminates the bodies as the dead rise up.
* * *
Tahonikepsu cries out over rumbling earth, “Pathfinders, that monolith empowers the dead. One of us will aid you in disabling it while the others hold the creatures at bay.”
* * *
The winds howl in response as spectral giants appear and disappear within the whirling sandstorm descending on the area.
Sinuhotep suddenly shrieks and shudders, "I ... I can feel her!!! Near the end of her tenure in the town, Tahari established powerful wards and eventually hid the entire city from passersby!"
Sinuhotep points to the bodies that are rising from the floor and he is almost in pain, "Following Tahari's mortal body’s death, the magic sank the town entirely. The presence of the sage jewels has awakened the wards!!"
You all can see that the necromancer’s sanctum is rising toward the surface once more, albeit with a jarring grinding of stone that suggests the imperfect realignment of buildings.
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On the way into the desert, Ischell produces a smooth, thin piece of wood. Tapping it against his arm- he mumbles some arcane words that he doesnt seem completely comfortable with...
After a few taps, a magical energy surrounds the man, and he stows his wand back in his belt.
The city streams up around the Pathfinders, and Ischell stands wide eyed at the creation before him. Instinctually, he opens his eyes up to the vision of Irori and attempts to shield himself from the radiance of Sinuhotep- focusing on the city in front of him.
As the bones begin to cling together, Ischell's moves into a martial stance while pulling a vial of translucent yellow liquid out of his pouch. He pops the cork out with his teeth and then drinks the solution quickly.
Unceremoniously, he discards the bottle and draws his chained kama- swinging it around with an increasing speed and force.
[Spoiler=Ablative Barrier]
CL 5 (Duration 5 hours; Total HP converted 0/25 HP)
Invisible layers of solid force surround and protect the target, granting that target a +2 armor bonus to AC. Additionally, the first 5 points of lethal damage the target takes from each attack are converted into nonlethal damage. Against attacks that already deal nonlethal damage, the target gains DR 5/—. Once this spell has converted 5 points of damage to nonlethal damage per caster level (maximum 50 points), the spell is discharged.
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Athum focuses his thoughts and emotions through his armor to conjure an invisible shield for extra protection, pulls Slitherbane out, giving the flail a couple of swings in preparation for the battle about to take place. Anyone nearby hears the man speak softly, seemingly to himself."Sorry friend, but no snakes today."
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Peridot sighs at the sight. "Listen if anyone needs healing just call out otherwise I'll just attack them directly with my normal bombs. In this case the best offense is a good defense. ," she says looking carefully at the undead.
Staring at everyone else as they buff she just shrugs slightly and readies a bomb.
]
Tahonikepsu 11
* * *
Sand flies through the air, reducing your visibility to 30' but you can hear the undead bodies' cries not far away.
The sands too are treacherous as hundreds of dead hands protrude clutching around blindly trying to grasp hold of you.
Treading on the burial sites of the unquiet dead can be treacherous, as the buried dead seek to drag the living down into their restless graves. These patches of shallow graves are often found near sites of mass burials.
Once a creature enters the area, rotting, grasping hands rip from the earth, turning the entire patch into difficult terrain and targeting each creature inside with a grapple combat maneuver check each round at the end of that creature's turn. The hands don't provoke attacks of opportunity , and have a CMB of +12 (with a base attack bonus of +8 and a +4 bonus due to their Strength ). This check is attempted each round for every creature in the hazardous area.
If the hands successfully grapple a creature, that creature takes 1d6+4 points of bludgeoning damage, gains the grappled condition, and is unable to move without breaking the grapple first. The grasping claws receive a +5 bonus on grapple checks against creatures they are already grappling , but can't move or pin foes. Each round the grasping claws succeed at a grapple check, they deal 1d6+4 additional points of damage. The skeletal hands have a CMD of 22, hardness 5, and 5 hit points each. The hands take full damage from channeled positive energy (no save). However, destroying a particular set of hands doesn't harm the overall hazard, which generates new skeletal hands to grasp all creatures freed in this way on the following round. The only way to evade the hazard is to move out of the affected area, after which the unquiet spirits that animate the grasping graves become dormant once again.
* * *
Initiative round 2
Ischell, Agate -> GO!
Undead
Tahonikepsu, Peridot, Frost, Ahn, Athum
Athum
Ahn
Ishell
Frost
Peridot
AgateUndead troops
Tahonikepsu
Ischell, you can see undead beings rising from the ground!
All others can only see Ischell at the front as vision beyond 30 ft is impossible because of the sand storm!
Initiative round 2
Tahonikepsu, Peridot, Frost, Ahn, Athum -> GO!
Initiative round 3
Ischell, Agate -> GO!
Undead
Athum
Ahn
Ishell
Frost
Peridot
Agate
Undead troop red:
Undead troop blue:
Undead troop azure:Tahonikepsu