The man answers.
The lizardfolk remain silent, watching the exchange.
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Mylvwara raises an eyebrow, "My experience has been that cruel, selfish people are mostly the ones who complain about others 'sticking their noses in'. Maybe that's not you? You appear to have forced these people to risk their lives to break a taboo after committing the unconscionable crime of egg-kidnapping. You also appear to have done this to steal significant historical artefacts, preventing us from having a fuller, truer understanding of a significant period of history."
She tilts her head to one side, "That is a list of crimes in just about anybody's book. What makes you so special that you're exempt?"
"Oh, and you would have just left all the treasure in the vault I guess? As though there's not a whole basement full of magical items underneath your vaunted 'Grand Lodge' in Absalom. I'm done with this place and there's still some things inside. Feel free to investigate it at your leisure," he answers.
"Well, since I have no problem, I guess I'll just walk away."
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It is at that moment that Shardra rises into view over the top of the structure, floating in mid-air and surrounded by a pale blue nimbus of ethereal aura.
Back in the chamber with the lizard folk it had been explained that the short cut to the rear of the tomb involved a long swim through a submerged passageway of stagnant swamp juice. At this the stoic shaman had taken a hard pass with characteristic directness. It did not take much to persuade the others that the risk of getting jammed underwater behind a physically feeble rotund dwarf in full plate was not worth arguing about.
So, Shardra descends silently down to 40' above the group, silent but making no effort at stealth, watching the sibilant draconic parley below. She is expecting it to run to a violent conclusion.
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”Yes, that collection is much vaunted. I’ve seen much of it. Many people have.” she shakes her head, voice rising in indignation, ”The whole point of the society is to learn and spread knowledge so that we can all benefit from a greater understanding of our shared history! Everyone knows about those vaults! It’s called a museum! Anyone can apply to look at those items for research! Anyone can write about them and explore what they tell us.” Her eyes narrow, ”You can try and dress it up as though that’s the same as stealing for personal power and wealth but nobody here believes that. Especially not you. Let’s add bare-faced liar to the list of reasons why you’re a friendless bully who kidnaps unhatched eggs!”
I'm not a huge fan of bullies...perhaps we should have a chat with him... Valeros says, with a slight grin.
"Ah well, hard way it is to be then. I can't say I'm too disappointed," the human man says. "Kill them!"
The hard way it us, then....I don't mind at all... Valeros says with a grin.
The lizardfolk rush toward the Pathfinders, two of them getting close enough to swing at Goran with their morningstars. The other two throwing javelins at Diazepane.
Both morningstars miss though one of them gets close enough that Goran can feel the breeze from it.
Because he wasn't quite ready for the fight to break out, one of them actually hits Diazepane.
"Uh uh uh...no cheating," the human man says to Shardra and makes an arcane gesture that sends a mystic projectile hurtling at her before moving toward the fight.
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Mylvwara carefully recites the words of a spell. The spell seems like a long one but the words flow like water and her hands move with incredible speed and grace, pushing and pulling arcane energies.
Then she moves behind Valeros.
As her spell goes off, a glowing, buff lion appears and gives it the old charge/pounce to attack the human foe.
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The man makes an arcane gesture that sends a mystic projectile hurtling at Shardra
Implacable, unshaken, Shardra absorbs the impact of the arcane assault without visible reaction. She raises both armoured gauntlets and in response a pulse of green spiritual energy surges out.
"Save the Iruxi if you can. They yet may regret siding with the Aspis."
A moment passes - then the swamp erupts in a verdant explosion of grasping, eager plant life, every branch and weed clutching at those in reach, exuding a sickly rotting odour of decay against those caught in its embrace...
Range long (400 ft. + 40 ft./level)
Area 40-ft.-radius spread
Saving Throw Reflex and Fort partial, DC17
As Entangle, except the plants are coated with an irritating sap that creates a painful, itching rash on creatures that touch them. Any creature that enters the area or ends its turn there must succeed at a Fortitude save or be sickened as long as it remains in the area and for 1d4 rounds afterward. This is a poison effect.
Entangle
Creatures that fail their save gain the entangled condition. Creatures that make their save can move as normal, but those that remain in the area must save again at the end of your turn. Creatures that move into the area must save immediately. Those that fail must end their movement and gain the entangled condition.
Entangled creatures can attempt to break free as a move action, making a Strength or Escape Artist check. The DC for this check is equal to the DC of the spell. The entire area of effect is considered difficult terrain while the effect lasts.
I'll do my best...as long as they co operate.. Valeros says as he tries to drop the iruxi with the flat of his blades.
[attack 1, red, non lethal, longsword]1d20+13-4; 1d8+9[/dice]
[attack 2, red, non lethal, longsword]1d20+8-4; 1d8+9[/dice]
[attack1, green, non lethal, swhort sword]1d20+10-4; 1d6+5[/dice]
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Despite the energies leaping around his skin, Kal manages to keep his collective focus on the figure in front. Instead, a field of energy springs up around him.
Looking at the lizardfolk between him and the Aspis scum he weighs his options.
Screw it...
He tucks his head and runs between the threats, emerging out the otherside face to face with the agent.
"What the...?! A lio...Argh!" the Aspsis agent barely has time to realize what's happening before a celestial ball of fury descends on him, clawing, biting and raking.
Even as he's dealing with all that sharpness, he's doused in cold from Diazepane's bomb and surrounded by suddenly sickly growths from the swamp.
Overall, not the day he was looking forward to when he set out to loot a tomb this morning.
He's still standing after all the assaults, however.
He manages to avoid the effects of Shardra's magic and stabs at the beast that has him grabbed.
He lands a couple of good blows but doesn't do enough damage to make the beast loosen its grip.
"Help me, you fools!" he shouts to the lizardfolk in Draconic.
The lizardfolk hear and obey, two of them anyway, AFTER taking swings at Kal'Ryon as he bravely barrels past them and as they deal with Shardra's magic.
Two of them land solid, identical hits on him as Kal'Ryon crosses between them.
The blue tinged one then hurries to the agent's side and takes a swing at the lion.
Injuring it more.
The yellow tinged one tries to get between Kal'Ryon and the agent and takes another swing.
But misses, this time.
Both Lizardfolk facing Goran are entangled in the growth Shardra generated, but he still only manages a hit with his shortsword in his attempts not to hurt them.
They are not so gentle in return.
The vines entangling them are just enough to keep green from landing a good hit on him.
Valeros tries to subdue the lizardfolk.
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Despite the wounds, Kal'ryon focuses his attention on the Mr Aspis himself. Taking a small step towards the leader, he swings out his guisarme and attempts to trip the Aspis agent
[ooc]Blood Conduit, if I hit with a combat maneuver I can swift action cast a level 1 spell: Shocking grasp. If my first trip attempt fails (I doubt it will hit, I will spend my iterative attack attempting a trip as well).
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• cannot move and is denied its Dexterity
bonus, but is not flat-footed.
• can always attempt to free itself, usually with
a Combat Maneuver or Escape Artist check.
• can take verbal and mental actions.
• cannot cast any spells that require a somatic
or material component.
• who attempts to cast a spell or spell-like
ability must make a concentration check (DC
10 + grappler’s CMB + spell level) or lose the
spell.
Between Diazepane's frosty explosion and the lion's biting and scratching, the apsis agent is quickly knocked out of the fight.
Once they see that he's no longer a threat, the lizardfolk throw down their weapons and lay on their backs, exposing their stomachs to the Pathfinders.
"Please! Save our young! Stop the others and rescue our eggs!" they all implore.
Of course. Which way did they go? We will do our best to get your children. Valeros says as he sees them capitulate.
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Diazepane lands and keeps his hands away from his bandolier. He will speak to them in Draconic but freely translate.
"We are not your enemy, and never have been. Tell us how we can help.
We were sent to find out about the one they call the Dog Pharoah, but our overall mission is to help those who need help."
Looting the Apsis Agent they find a pearl of power (1st level), potion of cure moderate wounds; Other Gear +2 studded leather, +2 short sword,
masterwork shortbow with 20 arrows, belt of incredible dexterity +2, Canid Carcanet, cloak of resistance +1, ring of protection +1, lens of detection.
They also find an unsigned letter instructing him to loot the Dog Pharaoh’s Tomb before the “reptiles revolt against our influence” and a map to the tomb from what appears to be a cave network several miles to the north labeled “Muckmouth.”
The lizardfolk confirm that the "smooth scales" have set up a base within their home and taken a generation of their eggs hostage.
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Canid Carcanet (15,000 gp; This amulet grants its wearer a permanent speak with animals effect to communicate with dogs, hyenas, and doglike animals. Three times per day, the carcanet’s wearer can take the shape of a Small or Medium canine [dog, fox, jackal, wolf, etc.] or a hyena as per the beast shape I spell [CL 5th].)