Well, that can't be a good sign... Kyra says as the stops suddenly
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"That's not good... it seems it disappeared" says Vailis "Perhaps we should document this and call for the artifact experts in the lodge to examine the artifact and unveil it's secrets"
After a while without response the hound archon would try to use greater teleport to get out of the sphere and report what has been found to the party.
The archon appears with a pop of displaced air. "The dome is damaging to life, as you can see. There is a great beast of evil within, a craggy thing of tentacles and one staring eye. It appears to be watching some powerful scrying device, so much so that it did not acknowledge me at all."
The interior of the bubble is a hollow dome, magically illuminated by an unknown source. The interior surface of this silver liquid is completely covered with various images depicting scenes of forests, plains, seas, and cities. All are extremely realistic and filled with moving creatures, flora, and weather.
Standing at the center of this hemispherical diorama, like a lone sentinel, is a tall pillar of rock. A single eye stares out from the center of this column, just above a fang-filled mouth, and shifts from scene to scene as it takes in all the images being portrayed on the interior of the silver dome. A perfectly preserved woman’s corpse lies on the side of the one-eyed pillar, partially absorbed into its stony hide.
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Jorgen grits his teeth and hops through the barrier.
"Ah, not the most painful thing I've experienced! I wonder if anyone else jumped in after me," he says, looking to see if his companions survived the jump.
Looking up at the strange creature, Jorgen steps back in shock. He thinks he knows EXACTLY what this thing is, but has doubted that he would ever encounter one in his travels.
Jorgen recognizes the craggy beast as a roper, a rare aberration known to ambush prey via precise control of its body’s coloration and shape. Despite the savage appearance, they are known to be among the most intelligent inhabitants of the Darklands. While hunger always wins out in the end, intellectual conversation can occupy a roper for hours before they decide to eat their consultants.
The ponderous bulk barely shifts as the staring eye continues to focus on the scenes shown in the quicksilver reflection. A deep grunt sounds out, the only indication that the roper even heard Jorgen.
That hurt! Kyra winces as she feels the singe of magic burn.
Who or what is that?
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Vailis grunts as the sphere strikes him painfully.
Matching 1 with 1 when Adeah points out the ring, Vailis says "That must be the ring we are looking for"
Understanding the roper is not knowledgeable of Common language, Vailis looks back at the archon once again "Could you act as a translator for us here?"
The hound archon uses truespeech to translate the party words to Aklo or any other language the creature seems to understand.
"Ask him what has happened here and if we can help him out of this situation" asks the half-elf.
The hound archon relates the party's words and listens to the grumbling reply. "It tells me it performs its duty and that the body is a part of him now. It has been long since it had an adornment." The canine head cocks to the side slightly. "It seems to find us little more than an irritant."
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"Oh esteemed roper, what is the duty that you have been assigned to? We have heard tale of the power and vast intellect that your kind possesses. What cause would you have deigned to put yourself in the service too?" Jorgen says pompously, hoping that flattery is something that the alien mind of this strange creature understands and appreciates.
or
The hound archon translates, obviously losing something in the delivery. The great bulk of the roper shifts slightly, the grumbling response seemingly detached. "It does this for its veiled masters, as they set it on its vigil ages ago. It watches and waits until it is needed."
Makes sense...maybe hemight look on us more favourably if we lower our weapons... Kyra says as she makes a show of lowering her blade. She sends out a warm pulse of restorative energy to heal the group's wounds.
The hound archon speaks imploringly for a few moments relaying the message. With a grunt, the rocky flesh of the roper ripples, shifting to release the corpse of Meskhenet. The body falls to the floor, followed by a staff that had been pinned between it and the roper's body.
Well, apparently he doesn't hate us. Can you relay to him that we are grateful for his co-operation, please?Kyra asks the archon. She nods her head in acknowledgement to the roper.
The hounds continued translation elicits no more than a grunt from the roper, its eye continuing to flit from scene to scene on the mirrored domes surface.
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Jorgen sheathes his hefty sword so that he can drag the corpse away from the roper. He looks at the body, trying to gauge from the style of her clothing and jewelry what era and region of the world she would be from.
"Thank you, your beneficence. We will allow you to return to your observations."
Wrinkling his nose, he looks up curiously at the images that appear in the mercury.
Jorgen recognizes the scenes as matching the locales of several Inner Sea nations and terrain that matches the hinterlands of the more untamed regions. Meskhenet's body still wears the trappings of her Osiriani origin and matches the garb worn by the previously recovered corpse.
Vailis finds it does not budge from the corpses finger.
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"We should bring the body back to the lodge with us. There might be stories in those bones, if you know what I mean. If we fold her up, do you think we could fit her in my haversack? Probably not,"[/] he says after puzzling over the logistics. [b]"Or, I think I have some tarp in my bag that I could wrap her up in before I toss her over my shoulder. I'm assuming I'm going to have to carry her."
Taking the whole body is preferred...desecration of a body is not exactly a valid option I think. Not that I would allow it anyways... Kyra says. She bends over the body and says a quick prayer for the long departed soul.
The roper pays little heed to the Pathfinders departure, locked into its vigil, the quicksilver dome dealing its painful charge as it did on the way in. The halls are dark and quiet save for the party's magical light.
Yes, She does. I would have to meditate to perform the ritual, but it can be done.
With the roper returned to its inscrutable task, it is an easy matter to carry the remains of Meskhenet out of the underground halls. No morlocks remain to harry your departure and the caverns appear to be mostly bereft of any further dangers. The journey back to Sothis is quiet and uneventful, while your return is celebrated as a quiet success.
The meeting with Venture Captain Balentiir is notably different this time, as a platter of sweetcakes and a steaming pot of tea are set out when you arrive at the meeting hall. He wastes little time getting to the point of the briefing.
“Rumors stir in Varisia, rumors of a long-lost Osirian concubine named Kamilah and her fantastic treasure. According to my sources, her tomb lies somewhere near the lakeside community of Whistledown. While mere tomb-raiding is beneath Pathfinders of your experience and skill, my sources claim that this concubine wore a simple silver ring bearing Osirian glyphs, and wielded the famous silver sword, Desert Raven. The ring, historians say, commands ancient and forgotten powers and is likely quite dangerous. Go to Whistledown and find the concubine’s body as well as her ring and sword. Return them to me, and you’ll likely be remembered in future chronicles as the heroes of Osirion!”
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"Another Osiriani ring? Interesting..." Vailis rubs his chin while listening to the Venture Captain "That is starting to build a trend"
"And a silver sword. Perfect Venture Captain Balentiir. Is there information about the exact location of the tomb or the protections that guards it?" the half-elf asks while picking up one of cranberries cake and dipping it on his tea cup "I guess you have a ship passage for us. I have heard the Yondabakari is infested by goblins and boggards"
Vailis loyal servant listens carefully as well and tries to fill his master's clear blanks of the history.
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Jorgen reaches over and delicately picks up one of the sweetcakes and dips it into his tea. "In no way do I feel that tomb raiding is beneath me, if its a tomb that is worthy of my skills. But yes, this does seem to be very similar to the last couple of outings I have been on. Bring back a ring and a corpse. I don't bringing back another ring and corpse back to the lodge, but who are these sources that keeping telling us about these long lost tombs? Is there something you're not telling us?"
"Unfortunately, their identities are confidential. This information was given to me in strictest confidence and I cannot betray that trust lest we lose valuable informants." Balentiir offers an apologetic smile. "As for passage, we have of course paid your way to Varisia, but Whistledown is a midpoint stop between Korvosa and Magnimar. You should see if there is a merchant caravan available to sign on with for the ride, otherwise it will be a fair walk if you cannot catch a boat ride."
He sighs and holds up his palms in supplication to Vailis. "Beyond the rumors of its existence, we have little guidance on how to locate the entrance. It will be up to you to suss out leads from the locals. Kamilah could be the concubine of any number of the thousand Osirian princes, but the reference to her ring suggests the connection to your last two successful expeditions. I would suggest you prepare yourselves here, as Whistledown is a small settlement and likely has little in the way of expensive supplies."
Kyra jots down some of the vital points as the others talk. She pecks away at a few of the treats and sips her tea in contemplation.
It is not tomb raiding as i see it. It is investigating. We are on a search for knowledge, not riches. I am ready to set out...just adding last minute provisions... she says with a grin as she takes a few of the cakes and packs them away. No sense letting them get stale, is there/ she grins
”The rings you have found so far have been difficult to analyze. We are working under the assumption that all of the rings are interconnected in some way to allow greater effects. What those are, we do not as yet know.” The venture captain nods to Kyra. ”We should not let the kitchen’s work go to waste. I will make the sacrifice of finishing off what you cannot.”