After a little over a minute -- interminable by Tybekk's standards, but not otherwise overlong -- the door opens slowly to reveal a bespectacled iruxi woman peering out. She looks at the party in bewilderment until her eyes fall on Thulgrun, and then she smiles broadly. Thulgrun Ironfist, as I live and breathe! What a pleasant surprise! What on Golarion brings you all the way to Ekkeshikaar?!?
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"Well, ma'am. As it happens, we're here to see that your boss makes the meeting with the Pathfinder Society to set up a treaty of mutual benefit with Ekkeshikaar. We were hoping that we'd get the chance to talk to him, and to convince him to make the meeting as it sounds like the vote might be pretty close.
"If you could put in a good word with him as well, given you've experienced some of the benefits such an alliance would bring, I would truly take it kindly." says the dwarf, with nary a prompt by his assistant.
"Good job, sir! You didn't yell or anything" whispers Dethor.
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”Aye, dannae listen tae Boom, Boom’s ditty. He sings aboot everything. But if yae tell yer boss tae support the Pathfinders, then we can leave yae in peace sooner and we can be oot o’ yer hair, tae get on with yer task tae dae. It’s gettin late, does yer boss still keep yae workin at this time? Ahh hope he treats yae well.”
Well... Lumki is clearly hesitant. Mister Lashweather doesn't like to be disturbed, especially on clear nights like tonight. He studies the stars, you see. No better time to do that than night. And he says there's a celestial convergence supposed to happen in the next couple of days that is crucial to his attempts to portend the future of Ekkeshikaar.
She thinks a bit, then swings the door open wide. Maybe if you don't take too long, though. Let's hurry, now! Lumki bounces up the steps on the far side of the room.
It seems as though every inch of space in this cluttered tower is spoken for. Rising from cramped living quarters on the ground floor, successive floors require navigating a narrow, meandering path between pieces of furniture piled nearly to the ceiling with books and tomes on astrology, astronomy, and weather patterns, both magical and mundane, as well as star charts and the various tools used to make them. Only on the top floor is there any space to speak of, with the various desks and tables all pushed to the edge of the circular room, leaving a large circle in the middle where various constellations have been inlaid into the stone floor in silver.
Lumki? I thought I told you I didn't want to be disturbed, intones a gruff voice coming from an iruxi torso on the far side near a massive contraption with glass and metal pieces.
Ahem...yes, Mister Lashweather, you did. Er, ah, but...you have visitors...
VISITORS?!? comes the loud response, followed by a loud clang and a muttered oath. The rest of the iruxi comes into view, rubbing his head with a grimace. How...hello, "visitors." Are these friends of yours, Lumki? he asks somewhat accusatorily.
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Sun Fire Boom Boom nods and starts speaking rapidly to appease the Ixrui.
"There once was an Iruxi Pirate
Who settled in a very nice climate
Then the Pathfinders arrived
with a rhyme quite contrived
for a plan to be discussed in private."
Sun Fire Boom Boom catches his breath before continuing rapidly.
"We're here to allay any lingering issues you might have with our trade proposal and deal with any lingering issues that might make it moore difficult for you to be on top of your game at the meeting tomorrow."
Lumki looks at the floor silently at Lashweather's question, but the former pirate doesn't appear to notice and is only half listening as he has quickly returned to his telescope. Mmm-hmm, yes, very interesting, mmm-hmm. He peers through the eye piece. Not sure I'll make the meeting tomorrow, though, he says, pulling away long enough to scrawl something down and then resuming looking. As Ekkeshikaar's head astrologer, you see, it's absolutely vital that I perform the precise divinations to determine what lies in store for the city and help prepare for it. I'm currently observing a very rare celestial alignment -- hasn't happened in more than ten thousand years -- and it won't be concluded until next week. This "council meeting", as exciting as it sounds, is quite out of the question, I'm afraid.
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"Sir, while i am sure that the stars are very interesting, perhaps they can tell you something about what will happen if you do not make this meeting. If this meeting goes as expected, and you are not there, then the alliance with the Pathfinder Society will not happen.
"If that fails to happen, then it is likely that the futures of both Ekkeshikaar and the Pathfinder Society will be diminished."
Dethor goes into how working with the the Pathfinder Society has benefited many cities and nations, and how the Pathfinder Society is working to be the protector of all good people on Golarian.
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"Aye, and yae should ken that trade helps all of us! If yer fancy telescope goes awry, yae may need tae order away fer some new parts. It is only with a good tradin partner that yae can make things happen. Look at me, with the right parts Ahh was able tae mak myself this here fancy watch. Ahh cannae imagine telescopes are all that different. Besides, we've got some fart smellers here that might be able to help yae oot with yer own work. What can we dae to help yae be able tae make tomorrow's meetin? "
From deep within the bowels of the telescope comes a muffled reply, Mmm-hmm, very interesting. But I'm afraid I don't see what trade agreements and your Pathfinder Society has to do with me...
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”Crazzlefrats! One who studies the stars must recognize that we are nae alone oot in the universe. Yae recognize the confluence a’ celestial bodies oot there, yae must recognize the confluence a’ people doon here! All alone, yae may as well shrivel up and die. But with trade yae become part o’ the fabric o’ a bigger universe. Think o’ it as a wee cog in mae watch. Alone yae cannae dae much, but when yae wok with others, yae actually mak something happen. This trade agreement with the Pathfinders opens up the universe fer all o’ Ekkeshikaar. Yae are no longer alone, but part of a bigger universe. Besides, Pathfinders always seem tae get a hold o’ spices frae Varisa and beyond that make food taste scrumptious. Fer that reason alone, yae should go tae the damn meetin!”
Lashweather's head pops up from the telescope-sextant contraption. I do love a good chervil, he says. Hmm. This is a quandary. While I need to properly divine what the stars portent, I do see your point in attending the council meeting.
He steps down from the telescope. Hmm. There [u]is[/u] a divination ritual that would allow me to gain the same sorts of insights as from observing the celestial convergence. Not nearly as interesting, of course. But it is known as the cho'aatan, and it is a dangerous ceremony, during which rogue elementals are often conjured as a byproduct. In my youth, I probably would have had little to fear and could effortlessly have thwarted such nuisances, but I am no longer young. And Lumki here is ill-suited to serve as a personal bodyguard.
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”Ah, well, if it is bodyguards you need, then we can definitely help out. Right, Pathfinders?” says Thulgrun, looking happier at being able to do something he is truly confident in.
”Decades of studies at Tar Kuata have made me ready for any challenge, and even though these others haven’t that much training, I am sure we will be up for any challenge.”
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"Aye, Ahh'm much better at fightin than Ahh'm at talkin. So, aye, if yae can use us tae fight some wee elementals, Ahh the one fer the job!"
Tybek draws his shortsword to check to see if he cleaned it off from his last fight. He apparently forgot.
"Aye, it may not look like much of a blade, but, it'll work just fine."
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Brynn notes the blood-stained blade Tybekk holds. "Did you run out of time to clean it? Or were you hoping that it might help you avoid turning to stone?"
”Aye, what does it matter if it’s clean? Ahh mean, it’s metal. What dae yae think blood is gonna dae tae it? Yae dannae think Basilisk blood will turn mae blade tae stone?”
During the clean/unclean discussion, Lumki craftily sidles up to Lashweather and the two hold a hurried, hushed discussion.
Finally the astrologer clears his throat. Lumki here has vouched for the capabilities of the Pathfinder Society, and in particular says she has witnessed your prowess first-hand, Thulgrun Ironfist. I will accept your offer to act as bodyguards during the cho'aatan. If we are successful, I will be free to attend this council meeting. But if the elementals do me harm I may lose concentration, and that will cause the cho'aatan to fail.
Now, one more thing to note is that the constellations you see on the floor will each take on special properties during the cho'aatan.
This one, he says, pointing at the one right in front of the telescope, is Cho'sath. That means fire for you not proficient in the iruxi tongue. It will add the power of fire to your attack.
And this is Sharbosh. That means vigilance. Offers a bit of protection.
And next is Shalor, which means life, which...oh, you get the idea. He waves his hand dismissively as he moves to a bookshelf.
Fortunately, Cilik's knowledge of Occultism is such that he can identify the rest of the constellations and what their runes most likely do.
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”Aye, what does it matter if it’s clean? Ahh mean, it’s metal. What dae yae think blood is gonna dae tae it? Yae dannae think Basilisk blood will turn mae blade tae stone?”
"You are perhaps the first dwarf I've met who didn't factor in his weapon rusting. Anyhow, we're wasting time with this fruitless debate."
She then takes a few steps to stand atop a rune. "Sprig, please keep to the wall. I'll call upon you if needed."
"Sure! I'm ready to mix it up if you need me!" the leshy replies, waving its arms in what you can only assume is a threatening manner. Mostly though it's adorable.
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"You are perhaps the first dwarf I've met who didn't factor in his weapon rusting. Anyhow, we're wasting time with this fruitless debate."
"Achh! It will dry off on its oon. When Ahh swing it through the air, all the wet bits dry off. Any wee bits left willnae be enough to rust this blade! Ahh think yae worry tae much!"
Tybekk steps over to the fire rune and tightens the grip on his short sword.
"Aye, Lemmae try this fire boon. Ahh wannae see how those wee elementals like it hot! Bring em on, Lashwater!"
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Cilik sends a moment examining the ruins and walks by each one and telling the group what effect they can provide. He stops and points at one that is south and west from the central circle. "stay off of this one. it is a fount of negative energy." He looks at the goblin and shakes his head as if to say,"no, it would not be fun."
Cilik tries to remember if he had ever heard of a ritual like this:
Cilik sighs as another takes the wisdom icon but settles for speed instead.
He collects his magical energies and nod, "I am ready."
Lashweather studiously rifles through the massive tome he's pulled off the shelf as Cilik outlines the constellation runes and the party makes ready.
Without so much as a peep of warning, the iruxi astrologer begins to phrase unintelligible words and a multicolored mist abruptly forms in the middle of the summoning circle. Lumki audibly gasps as a trio of winged creatures emerge from it!
Round 1
Sun Fire Boom Boom — GO
Cilik — GO
elementals — TBD
Thulgrun — TBD
Tybekk — TBD
Brynn/Meg — TBD
Theragond — TBD
The goblin sings a song of sixpence which echoes in the air as his telekinetic projectile slams into Blue and turns it into a cloud of mist without so much as a peep!
Neither Red nor Aqua seems adversely affected by Cilik's spell, but they do both now look fabulous!
Red lets fly a 15-foot cone of flames from its mouth!
It then moves up adjacent to Lashweather!
Aqua does similarly to Thulgrun!
It then moves adjacent to Brynn!
Round 1
Sun Fire Boom Boom
Cilik
elementals
Thulgrun — GO
Tybekk — GO
Brynn/Meg — GO
Theragond — GO
Round 2
Sun Fire Boom Boom — GO
Cilik — GO
elementals — TBD
Thulgrun — TBD
Tybekk — TBD
Brynn/Meg — TBD
Theragond — TBD
Thulgrun races over to protect Lashweather! The winged elemental effortlessly dodges his first blow and begins to mock the dwarf, but is crushed mid-cackle by the follow-up blow it never saw coming! It vanishes in a miasma of brownish-green smoke!
Round 1
Sun Fire Boom Boom
Cilik
elementals
Thulgrun
Tybekk — GO
Brynn/Meg — GO
Theragond — GO
Round 2
Sun Fire Boom Boom — pending
Cilik — GO
elementals — TBD
Thulgrun — TBD
Tybekk — TBD
Brynn/Meg — TBD
Theragond — TBD
Tybekk moves over and lands a vicious blow! The aqua elemental yelps, then turns and sticks out its tongue at the rogue!
Round 1
Sun Fire Boom Boom
Cilik
elementals
Thulgrun
Tybekk — need Refl save
Brynn/Meg — GO
Theragond — GO
Round 2
Sun Fire Boom Boom — pending
Cilik — GO
elementals — TBD
Thulgrun — TBD
Tybekk — TBD
Brynn/Meg — TBD
Theragond — TBD
Round 1
Sun Fire Boom Boom
Cilik
elementals
Thulgrun
Tybekk —
Brynn/Meg — GO
Theragond — DC 17 basic Refl save, then GO, then 1d4 persistent fire at the end of turn
Round 2
Sun Fire Boom Boom — pending
Cilik — GO
elementals — TBD
Thulgrun — TBD
Tybekk — TBD
Brynn/Meg — TBD
Theragond — TBD
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Action 1: Strike
Action 2: Strike
Action 3: Strike
Brynn stabs at the elemental creature with her spear, channeling the energy from the rune she stands upon.
plus bludgeoning (water trait)
She follows up with another thrust for good measure.
plus bludgeoning (water trait)
And lastly she holds her shield high, ready to protect herself.
Thulgrun and Brynn combine to turn Aqua into a cloud of fog!
Shortly thereafter, as Lashweather continues his incantations, two more winged elementals materialize!
Aqua moves over a bit, then laughs wickedly and sends a cone of acid from its mouth that catches Thulgrun, Theragond, and Sun Fire (who finds this much less fun than the fire)!
Red does similarly, catching Tybekk and Brynn in a gout of flames!
Since Red didn't have to move to use its cone, it flies toward Lashweather to try and stop the ritual!
Round 2
Sun Fire Boom Boom — keep your spell, and you have three actions if you want them.
Cilik — you have three actions if you want them.
elementals —
Thulgrun — GO
Tybekk — GO, then persistent fire from this round
Brynn/Meg — GO, then persistent fire from this round
Theragond — GO, then persistent fire from previous round
Round 3
Sun Fire Boom Boom — GO, then persistent fire from previous round
Cilik — GO
elementals — TBD
Thulgrun — TBD
Tybekk — TBD
Brynn/Meg — TBD
Theragond — TBD