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Zan'Kul and Katya put down the last of the resistance from the two remaining grey dwarves. It's bloody, but it's quick.
With the immediate danger over, you collectively take stock of things. The first, and most obvious thing is that there's a malevolent-looking gemstone surrounded by 13 unconscious humanoids (a mix of ratfolk, wayangs, and dwarves).
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Would you assist?Ulysses looks at Lazlo and draws a wand of infernal healing from his haversack, offering to him.
Lazlo honors this simple request, tapping Ulysses gently on the shoulder with the wand, then bonking Katya on her knee for good measure but no discernible purpose.
Ka'atib lets the others focus on the bodies and survivors, while he checks out the gemstone.
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Riegel crouches down to inspect one of the unconscious forms, but finds that his knowledge of the human body is just too limited.
Meanwhile, the bard studies the gemstone. Based on the magical lore he's gathered, he believes that the stone is drawing souls into the Ethereal Plane!
Knowledge Planes (DC 27):
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With no immediate danger, Riegel refocuses his efforts to examine the gemstone.
"Great horny toads!" the Gunslinger exclaims. "This no good, bush whackin’ rock is a lookin' back at me while I'm a lookin' back at it! Yee-ha! Pew pew pew!"
Lazlo pushes Riegel aside. "Let me take a look at that. I'm a huge nerd. Well, a little nerd." Lazlo scrunches his little features and plumbs the depths of his knowledge.
"Durr. I don't know. I'm a dummy."
Ka'atib dances in. "I once heard a song of such a crystal. It goes something like this..."
"Oh, there's a rock that'll suck your soul, it'll make you such a slag. If you look at it and let it, you'll turn to a night hag. High diddle dee, Katya's on the rag." The bard winks. "I improvised that last part."
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With Reigel's keen sight and Ka'atib's keen insights the group learns (in a strangely in character way) that this Siphoning Stone is pulling the life out of each of the unconscious people, and that energy is being sent to a night hag on the Ethereal Plane.
Katya spends a few moments eyeing up the stone (Hardness 10, 100 hit points) and (per Slack) hits the stone repeatedly with high-pressured water blasts. When the stone cracks apart, an otherworldly scream of rage echoes through the cavern. As soon as silence returns, several of the unconscious people come to.
You pass on the information you've collected to the Repair Team, and once of the members nods. "This sounds like the work of the Night Hag Aslynn. They've been a problem for the Pathfinder Society before, so it's not a big surprise."
The now conscious people, you learn, were slaves to the duergar. Several of them come forward to volunteer to help the Pathfinder Society with their efforts regarding the Tapestry.
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As a group you head towards the next tapestry portal...
This area of the tapestry is a strange patchwork of several environments: sand dunes abut jagged hills, and massive evergreen trees rise from a dry riverbed. Tense silence permeates the area, filling the space between three groups of humanoids: a group of stoic soldiers enshrouded in strips of cloth, a group of winged people with draconic features, and a group of lanky, owlheaded scholars.
As a group you move to meet with the soldiers. Ka'atib recognizes some of the heraldry as that of a sect of Tian soldiers known as the Faithful of Wixu. They came from the Lung Wa Empire, in a region that is now part of Lingshen. Looking at each soldier you can tell they used an obscure rite of self-mummification to extend their loyal service into eternity.
One of the mummified soldiers stops you. Speaking in an archaic form of Taldane, he says, "Though we are individually nameless, collectively we are the Faithful of Wixu. What is your purpose here, that you would disturb our eternal guard?"
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Riegel steps forward, sizing up the soldiers.
We are the Pathfinders, the White come to stand against the Black. The Tapestry is falling apart--your home. We are here to give aid and succor. If you are the eternal guardians you say you are, stand with us. Keep your Faith: stand, and be true!
<--ah, bollux
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"Come on everyone If we don't work together we'll be torn apart.
History will remember how we came together to get this done!"
He rushes over, "Here, check out this technique for repairing frayed magical wrappings. Ha! you look just like the third great Xiwunese leader!"
He rushes over. Looking people in the eyes and seeing their hearts is something Ka'atib has done his whole life. He knows what to do. He continues to orate in Tian as he gauges the soldiers reactions
Finally he cracks his knuckles, [b]"THIS IS OUR INDEPENDENCE DAY! And he literally rallies the troops and prepares to go down in history as a great commander of men.
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Ulysses will auto-aid Ka’atib’s Knowledge Religion check.
You are a fascinating lot. It would be my honor to teach you the techniques Ka’atib mentioned, as well as sharing a few more tips for preservation and maintenance.
If they are indeed undead, he’ll offer to repair any damage via his wand of inflict light wounds.
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Riegel steps forward and tries to push the the soldiers. Unfortunately his manner of speaking is strange to them, and they start to look agitated by his presence (Fail).
When Ka'atib speaks, turning to the talk of unity, the mummified soldiers pay attention. With Ulysses' extensive knowledge of the dead he gives guidance to them on how to repair their wrappings, further elongating their life. Despite their undead state, they're able to tell that this relieves a significant worry. (Success)
With further oration the bard gets a sense that these soldiers are fiercely loyal to the Lung Wa Empire, and are (perhaps willfully) ignorant of its downfall. He knows to play on the soldiers' sense of duty but avoid mentioning their lost empire. (Success)
Having built goodwill with the soldiers, Ka'atib then easily takes command, speaking to their sense of duty in a way they understand. (Success, despite previous failure)
One of the soldiers steps forward. "We hear you, Commander of Five. Our role is clear: we will support you."
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The Pathfinders move on to the next group, a gathering of owl-headed syrinxes that hail from Arcadia.
As you approach the winged people flap towards you, forming a semi-circle. At first glance they seem somber, but after a few moments you get a sense that they are very excited to be speaking to you.
"Greetings! We are the Hhruul," a syrinx wearing a crown says. "It is a distinct pleasure to meet you. I wondered why-"
"What's the sky like where you come from?" one of the syrinxes in the back asks, interrupting their leader. The crowned syrinx flaps a wing as is to hush the interrupter.
"I was wondering why such strangers are here within this-"
"How many star cycles does it take you to get home from here?"
"Stop it! I'm talking here!" the crowned syrinx works to get control of the conversation again. He smooths his ruffled feathers, then continues. "I can see you are strangers. How did you get here? And is there a way to leave?"
help the Hhruul get home, a successful Bluff check will allow you to give assurances that the Pathfinder Society possesses the knowledge and means to help.
Pathfinders about the philosophical implications of siding
with the Society instead of fending for themselves. You can make a Will save to engage in a drawn-out philosophical debate with them.
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"Amazing! It is an honor to meet you. I've read so much about your realm. I've seen drawings of your dizzying homes. I've heard that Arcadia is more beautiful than any painting. Is it true that it's bigger than the entire Inner Sea region?"
"LET ME TELL you about the resources the Pathfinder Society can bring to bear to help you. Mitsumoto Kakashi, invisible and clever. Dor'heana Carva'hal, one of the wisest clerics I've even seen." He steeples his fingers, "Rathen Wyrmblight one of the most incredible skirmisher's you'd ever meet. The erudite and accomplished Begus! S Malory, a master of archery! Hawthorne Caaaa...... nevermind. Rosham Bowe! an impenetrable wall of dweomerdom! And the RED RAVEN HIMSELF! Castamir, the single greatest sorcerer since the time of Nex!" He calms down. "We got you."
Slippery, prepared, and happy to extricate with an elegant egress...
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The syrinxes are quickly overwhelmed by both information and personality as Ka'atib takes centre stage. The winged owl-people hop about excitedly as the bard expounds upon their homeland.
"We haven't seen Arcadia in so long!"
"I really miss the stellar configuration."
"The air... it was just different. I miss it."
"This human gets it!"
When Ka'atib starts expounding on the might of the Pathfinder Society, he weaves lies and general assurances like a pro. It helps that he sprinkles enough truth in to really sound credible. Even Lazlo, who is a known dummy, is found nodding along.
And when Lazlo and Riegel begin talking about philosophy with a subset of syrinxes, Ka'atib promptly runs roughshod over the conversation, dominating everyone's headspace with his extensive knowledge of philosophy. He mentions more dead Taldan thinkers than you'd think the empire ever had!
By the end of it the Hhruul are committed to helping. "Wise Master Ka'atib, who henceforth be known as Hoot-TickTick-Hoot, you have our support. We will help you in exchange for future freedom from this world."
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Pushing on, the Pathfinders enter through the sixth tapestry portal...
Nestled in the center of a serene woodland valley, this small lake bed is devoid of water. At its center, a dozen humanoid turtles lie on their backs, alive but unable to move. To the north, a ravine leads to a small temple on a rocky hilltop.
One of the humanoid turtles spots you as you appear. "It's not a trick! Please help!"
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Katya takes flight, scouting the area while staying nearly invisible.
Lazlo recognizes that these are kappas, a race of turtle-shelled amphibian humanoids who have a shallow basin in the top of its head in which they carry water. They are often pranksters but, in this case at least, they seem to be the pranked.
"It should, and we're like this all because of that nasty, mean dragon! It's the reason the water doesn't flow, and why we're upside down! Please, help us!"
After circling for a few minutes, Katya comes back. There's no ambush that she can see.
"Yes, please!" another kappa calls out, tiny legs flailing ineffectively. "I know this situation seems silly to you. Obviously can roll back to your feet with ease. But we're well and truly stuck this way. Help us, and we'll help you. We know much of this place, and could tell you loads of information. Just help us stand, and drown that mean, stupid dragon!"
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Riegel starts helping the kappas, filling one of their head bowls with water. It's immediately better, and begins shaking the gunslinger's hand vigorously.
The kappa then says, "It's bigger than you or I, though maybe similar to, uh... What is that thing?" It points at Shucks. "The big meany is covered in splendid scales, and horns jut from its head like a crown."
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The kappas clap excitedly when Riegel commits to seeing to the dragon. They given you rough directions to follow the ravine to Eternal Lake Temple.
Following the dried up ravine is easy, and within 30 minutes of travel you see the temple. As you come around a bend you see the golden scaled dragon, its splendid gold scales and crown-like horns giving it away. "That is close enough," it says in a reptilian rumble, stopping you about 70ft away from it.
"I am Aoitsun, the Guardian of the Eternal Lake Temple. I am the protector of the fountains during this trying time within the Hao Jin Tapestry. Stake your business here, or begone."
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Ka'atib casts Glibness before going in.
[b]"Oh great and powerful dragon, we are as ants before you. Indeed, without your august majesty the future is bleak. We beseech thee to use thy unmatched power. Forsooth, we're helpless before the task at hand. O dragon, please deign to use our supplication as tribute for what will surely become another chapter in your long and awesome repertoire of accomplishments.
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"Besides, it's really the most logical choice, especially for an intellect as mighty and vast as yours. Think through the consequences and infamy that comes with the alternatives."
"Indeed, I, the famous Ka'atib, will ensure that such a deed as this will be enshrined for all time. I say. I say openly and plainly, that this would. It WILL attract the attention of powers beyond our ken for its weight!"
"Not to mention the impact of the dried-up water ways. Can you even imagine the ripples of impact? Indeed the consequences of this deed undone would outlast even your fantastical lifespan!"
"I know well that such a noble creature of power as yourself cannot help BUT be the savior, for what is power such as yours if you do not use it!"
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The sovereign dragon practically preens. It's a pleasure to have such eloquent conversation. I am pleased that we share the same goal: safeguarding the Hao Jin Tapestry. I consider this my sacred duty to a place I call home."
"You raise a good point about the dried up waterways. The water is magic, and without said ripples flowing through the land we may be seeing more dire consequences. I will restore the waterway to its previous majesty."
The dragon murmurs an incantation, and you hear the sound of a dam bursting open. Water surges forth, filling the ravine.
"Thank you for your wisdom in acknowledging my purpose and my nobility. Though I know you are strangers to this place, know that you are welcome to return."
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You return to the kappas, who are delighted to see the water flowing yet again. Spending several minutes with them, you find that they are actually quite knowledgeable about the goings-on within the tapestry. They invite you to a water-side picnic, where most of the fare is fish-related.
"Ever since the Aspis Consortium stopped turning up, the tapestry has generally been a more peaceful and stable place—current events aside," says one kappa, offering up a morsel of fresh fish to the Pathfinders.
Lowering their voice to hushed whisper, another kappa says, "But many here have begun having terrible nightmares. Not sure why that is, but it's a shared problem."
Before leaving, they leave you with one last tidbit of information. "You should watch out for mysterious strangers, ones even stranger than you lot, with purple skin and evil eyes."
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Having done the needful at all six of the tapestry portal locations, you head towards the nearest repair team.
A group of 5 Pathfinders are hard at work studying an astral rift that hovers a foot in the air. One of them breaks off from the group as you approach. "Ah, I'd heard that you lot where in the tapestry. Thanks again for your work with the dragon. The waters in this demiplane do more than keep you hydrated. They're conduits of magic. And that matters when-"
Suddenly a great tearing is heard, and the nearby rift grows. When a tall, skeletal figure steps out of the rift, the four other agents clear away. The telltale discolored entrails clinging to the bony frame tells you all you need: a morhg! Then three others step out of the portal.
"Please, stop them! We'll work on re-stabilizing the rift!"
Katya
Lazlo
Riegel
Ulysses
Zan'Kul
Morhgs
ROUND 1
Ka'atib: Go
Katya: Go
Lazlo: Go
Ulysses: Go
Zan'Kul: Go
Riegel: Go
Morhgs: TBD