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In addition to bolstering their spirits, the bard moves up to observe the fray.
"Careful now, they be castin' spells on 'emselves. Haste ifin Ah'm not mistaken."
18+11=29
Spotting some of the team struggling, the bard calls upon a well of mythic power to grant everyone second opportunity to succeed.
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Tholgrin's swings miss against the constructs , Daniel's spell fizzles, but Thorek and Caelem land blows. Spackle damages one of the statues.
The cleric starts casting a spell to call an ally to aid his friends.
Bad guys go!
The golem moves towards Thorek.
The statues move towards the Pathfinders. One attacks Caelem and the other swings at Tholgrin.
But their swings go wide over the heads of the Pathfinders.
[b]Party is up! Caelem and Tholgrin have AoOs[/ooc]
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Caelem and Thorek's attacks overwhelm the glass golem while Tholgrin misses again. He can't seem to hit the mark. But the golem shatters from the attacks.
Caelm damages the small statue.
Weit summons an archon that attacks the statute near Caelem. Weit also uses bit of luck on Thorek.
The archon hits once with its rays.
Daniel is up!
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Daniel takes a step to the side to get a clear line of attack and then unleashes a flurry of arrows against the southern enemy. "Great work on the glass one, two more to go. Anyone figure out the riddle yet?"
for (Crit only multiplies 1 arrow & DR is doubled if applicable)
for
for
Current AC/Touch/FF: 21/15/16
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The guardians on Caelem and Tholgrim attack but their swings are ineffective against the Pathfinders speed and armor.
Weit uses bit of luck on his dwarven ally again.
The archon attacks the one on Caelem again. But the glass golem's remains clouded it's vision and its rays go wide.
Pathfinders are up again!
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Caelem's attack further damages the statue near him while Daniel's arrows destory the statue near Tholgrim.
Combat over!
After a few moments, the party is able to figure out that by shifting the positions of the lit oil lamps, they can alter the angles at which the light hits the door and scatters throughout the room, and by illuminating the four gemstone
carvings with blue, green, yellow, and red light from the oil lamps. The colored lights flood the door and suddenly the crystalline door splits
down its center, and Amenopheus’s prison fades away.
"Thank you my friends. It's been a far journey to this place and you've helped me along the path! We should continue along before anymore guardians appear!"
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Tholgrin looks sheepish after his combat performance.
"Must have been some curse or some such affecting my coordination! I think it's worn off now. Amazing work everyone, it's an honour to fight with you"
He picks up some sand from the floor and rubs it into his hands to help his grip on Beryl and moves alongside Amenopheus into the chamber beyond
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Daniel pulls his curative wand out, takes a deep breath and yanks the shard of glass out, the tries to mend up the wound.
With that settled, he shrugs at Tholgrin, "No worries friend dwarf, we are all mostly still in one piece." He moves along following the group as they head deeper into the complex.
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As the party follows Amenopheus into the room they see
A broad, simple, flat-topped column of sandstone rises from
a deep pit in this circular, domed chamber with a white tiled
floor. Though no wind can be felt, particles of sand slowly blow
around the pit as if circulated by a lazy breeze, their movement
creating a soft, rasping susurrus.
Inside sits a beautiful Garundi woman.
She turns to the Amenopheus smiling "Weclome home..Sapphire Sage" she states, she then turns to the party "Greetings, I am Tahonikepsu...the Diamond Sage" she says. She turns back to Amenopheus "I have been following you from my hidden liar for sometime. Only recently have I tried to contact you..."
Amenopheus looks puzzled "Why have you remained in hiding? I hope that you want to rebuild the Jeweled Sages as I do. I wish we had met sooner. The collapse of the Jeweled Sages is a mere an unfortunate accident driven by outside forces, namely the invasion of Osirion by the Kelish thousands of years ago. Had it not been for this calamity, the
Jeweled Sages would have continued to thrive and be an influential force in the area."
The Diamond Sage replies "The invasion and subsequent purge of the Jeweled Sages reflects a critical weakness in the organization, for without a a strong leader, our order could not respond quickly and effectively to a new threat of the Kelish. We continue to need a strong and effective central leader."
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Amenopheus turns to Thorek "My good dwarf, more is at stake. The Diamond Sage seeks a streamlined strong leader of our faction, but the Jeweled Sages have promoted an egalitarian structure for a long time and that is a key source of our strength, allowing each member to act independently
when needed."
Tahonikepsu replies "Without consistent, decisive strong leadership, the Jeweled Sages will always be vulnerable and disorganized whenever a new future threat strikes. But I say we can both accept that we will need to recover additional sage jewels since the loss of the emerald sage jewel and recruit new prospective sages."
Amenopheus responds "I believe that the next generation of sages must be chosen from among the most learned scholars."
The Diamond Sage replies "I would rather recruit a new generation of active and innovative sages who could act as advisors to powerful leaders, read the current events to predict future decisions and warn of new threats, and participate in making history rather than simply recording it in a dusty tome. Amenopheus your service is well known but you have lost the trust of Osirion’s ruler. Your failure is not wholly your fault, the incident may become a liability as the Jeweled Sages attempt to reclaim our place in Osirion. I believe that your insistence on embracing a failed model for the Jeweled Sages invites history to repeat itself."
He replies "With all due respect Diamond Sage, for only moments
ago your were complete stranger to him and the Pathfinder Society. I have served faithfully as the Osirion faction leader for years. Ceding leadership of the restored Jeweled Sages to you seems like an irresponsible bet, particularly when nobody knows of your qualifications, background, or motives."
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Tholgrin looks uncomfortable at the weighty conversation.
"Ahem, excuse me milady, but we have uncovered a plot by a villain known as Torch to gather the sage jewels to himself. Although we have recovered the topaz gem, we believe this Torch has the emerald gem."
As he mentions torch he scrutinises her face for any sign of recognition.
He takes the topaz gem and approaches her, kneeling down and presenting it.
"It is my mentor's dying wish that the order of the scarab sages be reformed, and before you stands Tholgrin Stonebeard of Highhelm, swearing on his clan that he will help find worthy bearers for the sage jewels. However I agree with Amenopheus, the sages must not be led by any individual, for that invites tyranny. The so-called failed model worked for a very long time, and it can do so again"
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The Diamond Sage looks at Amenopheus “I present my credentials,” she retorts. “Now we are strangers no more.”
She shifts into a huge dragon.
She turns to Thorek. "I know of this Torch. He is a villain"
Amenopheus turns to the rest of the party "What do you say? I would remain the leader and graciously not seed my faction to the Diamond Sage"
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Tholgrin realizes that she's an adult time dragon
She nods at Tholgrin in the face of recognizing her species.
She shifts back to human form.
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Daniel thinks for a second, "Well, I doubt the reason the sages failed was completely due to lack of leadership, but it is a solid argument. A strong leader is necessary most of the time, especially in a war situation." When she shifts into a dragon he takes a step back, eyes wide with fear.
After a few seconds, without being eaten, his heart returns to his chest. "Well uh, okay then. First dragon I've met that didn't want to eat me. That's a mark in your favor for sure."
He looks at his allies and shrugs, "Honestly, I'll toss my lot in with this lady. She seems to have a plan, and when in doubt, I'd rather someone like that have the final call on important things."
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Thorek looked around, and came to a decision. If he had any influence then his duty was to clan. Dragon or not. Actually, especially as she was a dragon. Untrustworthy beasts that coveted his people’s wealth. ”I throw my voice behind Tholgrin. The ways of the ancestors are not to be disregarded without good cause.”
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"Well now, ain't'n this a pickle. Ah gotta say thet Ah didn't see this comin'. Ifin it's all the same yer dragonship, we just made yer 'quaintance. The Society's been workin' with the Sages for a fair while now. Ah've learnt that you dance with who brought ya. Ah'm not fer knowin' who should lead ya, but ifin yer gonna make me pick, Ah hafta choose Amenopheus."
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Tahonikepsu graciously accepts defeat and pleges to work with the Society. Kafar and Nefti abandon the Aspis.
With the discovery of another Jeweled Sage and the
recovery of a third sage jewel, you have helped
Amenopheus recreate the lost Osirian order.
Both he and Tahonikepsu agree that the sages
shall work with the Pathfinder Society toward
their mutual benefit, and they aid the party in
returning to Eto without further conflict. The
Ruby Sage’s power fades from them as they depart
the Pillars of the Sun. Amenopheus is uncertain as to
whether or not the ruby sage jewel can be restored, but he
begins researching the possibility soon.
The loss of the emerald sage jewel—ostensibly to
Grandmaster Torch, a known enemy of the Society—
weighs heavily on Amenopheus, and he sends his
assurances to his Pathfinder allies that the Jeweled Sages
will find Torch and recover their stolen property. What
mischief the scarred information broker can cause with
such an artifact in hand haunts the Pathfinder Society
for months to come.