PFS1 #8-17 Refugees of the Weary Sky [Outpost IV] (Inactive)

Game Master cmlobue

Tess explains what she can find out about the machine to the others. ”Mighty Shaitan, it seems that I have the ability to operate this particular device, but I don’t have sufficient knowledge yet. If you’d let us continue to explore this building, I expect that there are clues or instructions that would fill in the gaps in my knowledge. Once I’m prepared, I could use this device and I think it would be helpful to deal with all this energy.”

Tessara is a mighty and wise arcane caster. If any can safely operate this clockwork it is her.

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 23 ⇒ (12) + 23 = 35

The shaitan's body seems to relax as your words sink in. "You... you are not Jistkan. I thought this device held me, but it does not. Jistkans bound me here, along with other genies. They were all freed when their masters perished. But mine... mine did not die. He has been petrified, somehow, by the energies here. I tried to revive him, then to slay him, but my binding prevented me from doing him harm."

The shaitan still seems disturbed, but unlikely to attack you without provocation. You are permitted to examine the device.

You can also examine the stairway to the northwest.

This curling stairway ends abruptly at a wall of rubble made of jagged stonework and crystalline fragments.

Vincenzo enters, also speaking Terran.

”Shaitan, what lies beyond the double doors in the next room?”

”I think that device is the source of the energy buildup. I also think there must be advice for using it safely somewhere in the place. I’d not touch it just yet,” Tess tells the others.

"One whom I once called a friend lies beyond. He rebelled against the elementalists, but became trapped here as I was. Well, not as I was, but still trapped."

Vincenzo nods, and opens the double doors. He does not enter the room immediately, but observes from where he is first.

A silvery glow filters through a fine mist in this chamber. A silvery metal rune pulsates with an iridescent light in the chamber’s southeast alcove. To the south stands an impressive crystalline fountain, which is shooting a stream of water high into the air. In an alcove to the southwest is a statue of a man in robes, his face contorted in a surprised sneer.

In the center of the room is a humanoid form of vibrant green light with chunks of stone floating around it. It does not speak, but gives you an expectant look as soon as the doors open. It holds one hand up toward a what looks to be a large stone statue to the east.

Know. Planes 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (13) + 12 = 25
Know. Arcana 1d20 + 19 ⇒ (10) + 19 = 29

Anyone capable of giving me an assist on Know. Planes? Waiting to see if possible, before I post.

Seems that is not a class skill for me. Sorry.

I’m not sure you can assist on Knowledge checks.

Knowledge (planes) 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (11) + 12 = 23
Knowledge (arcana) 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (9) + 9 = 18

Talk to it Tess. You speak the language, and tieflings are not well-liked.

Vincenzo stayed where he was, he didn’t want to spook this creature.

Im going to use my Impossible Feat book to add 1d6 to my knowledge planes check, so even on a one, I’ll get the required planes number.

Added to planes check 1d6 ⇒ 1

”Greetings, friend ozimat. We aren’t here for trouble. And with your stone golem over here, you’d clearly easily smash us to bits. Just like we explained to your shaitan friend in the other room, we’ve been sent to deal with all the energy buildup in this place. We’ve figured out that device the shaitan is guarding is the key to doing just that, but we don’t quite know how to operate it just yet. I don’t suppose you could tell us how to safely do so, could you?”

The creature responds in a calm manner, with a voice that sounds like gravel under a boot. "You've spoken to Illaton? Good, good. He helped to create Deep Sky and the elemental gauge. We were once friends. But no longer. He slipped into madness and I into my solitude.”

"The elemental gauge is a powerful device that the masters used to monitor the storm over Jaizun Citadel, to see when it would be safe to return. It did this by keeping a fraction of the storm’s power within it. I cannot reactivate the elemental gauge to release this bound energy."

This is where I would normally ask for a Diplomacy check, but with bonuses you have earned from elsewhere, Princess Xen at least cannot fail.

The ozimat is unable to accompany you to the room with the elemental gauge, but he can provide you with instructions on how to safely dissipate the energy. You could have done it with Disable Device or Knowledge (Engineering), but the instructions are detailed enough that you need no particular skill to do so now.

As the shaitan carefully observes you, you make the necessary adjustments and the dials on the device calm, as does the storm outside the complex.

”Thank you for your help, friend Ozimat. Now that we’ve turned off the elemental gauge, is there anything we could do for you and for Illaton? It’s clear he’s been affected by this place and the passing of time. He could probably use a friend right now as I bet it is lonely here. Maybe you could as well,” Tess inquires, trying to find a way to put these former friends together.

The ozimat replies, “I am Korj. I am a spirit of elemental earth
that once inhabited a construct vessel, as my siblings still do.

“The elementalists of Jistka brought us here in shackles to power their works while we suffered in endless servitude. But they were hungry with power and made a mistake by activating the elemental gauge when the doors to Deep Sky were sealed. The reverberating energy allowed us to take control of our own fates long enough to rise up against our captors. I have been here since, working to liberate my siblings.

“I am not exactly sure how I survived shedding my physical form, but I believe it has to do with the elemental energies brought about by the storm over the Jaizun Citadel. I can only guess that the energy diverted from the storm weakened my magical prison. The activation of the focused energy within the elemental gauge helped me finally break free. Ever since that fateful day, I have worked to help my siblings to free their own spirits. Perhaps with the energy bound within the elemental gauge, I can save them.”

Is there any way we can help free them?

”With the information you’ve given me, I’m pretty sure I can operate the gauge. Do you need to make any preparations for me doing so? If it works, what do you think with happen to you and the shaitan?”

You have already done all you can with the elemental gauge.

Korj shakes his head. "I have what I need. Perhaps you can help Ozimat as well?"

The scenario offers no further way to help Korj, though you can still ask questions of him if you'd like.

”How many siblings remain here? asks the alchemist.

"The one here is the only one I know still lives. Perhaps I will find others as I search these ruins."

Awkward...

This is why I hate talking to people... muses the alchemist. He enters the room and heads southwest, trying to stay out of the cloud as much as possible.

He’s interested in this sneering man, wondering if he’d been petrified long ago...

So you're stuck as long as statue guy here is still around, right? If we smash up the statue does that set you free? Or does he have to be turned backed then release you?

"I cannot be free until my master is dead is safe," Illaton says. Although he seems to trust you, he still seems confused.

Vincenzo studies the statue in the other room.

Perception: 1d20 + 21 ⇒ (11) + 21 = 32

What luck. He'll be free on his own soon enough.

Vincenzo looks carefully at the statue. 1d20 + 19 ⇒ (1) + 19 = 20

You wait for the petrification effect to wear off. As he is restored to life, he immediately takes up a defensive posture, as if he is about to be struck. When no blow comes, he peers out from between his upraised arms and says, "Who are you? Do you serve Ahriman?"

”You’ve been a statue for a long time, friend. Perhaps you should sit down for a minute.”

Vincenzo tries to hold still, hands empty, to show he doesn’t want to fight.

We do not serve Ahriman. In this time I am not sure anyone does.

Any knowledges helpful for Ahriman?

"That's all well and good, but if you aren't servants of Ahriman, who are you?

"And how long is a long time?"

Don't know when you went under, but it's currently 4716 AR.

"AR? What does that mean? Who rules Jistka today?"

You also recall from the briefing that Ahriman attacked this Jistkan outpost millennia ago.

Know. History 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (1) + 12 = 13

Tess couldn’t piece together any information about this unfortunate man,

Absalom Reckoning, it's been 4,716 years since the god Aroden founded the city of Absalom on the Isle of Kortos in the Inner Sea.

I couldn't tell you about Jistka

Knowledge History: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (10) + 5 = 15 Would not want to over roll and look showy. :)

I am no scholar of history but there has not been a Jistka to rule in 8000 years. I think you have earned yourself a fresh start. If you have no pressing plans our organization, the Pathfinder Society would love to update you on the world as it currently is and would greatly value your knowledge of the time you lived before. You sir have a rare commodity. I think our society would be very interested in making you a deal if not recruiting you. Its a good group, I can recommend them.

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 21 ⇒ (15) + 21 = 36

"Eight... eight thousand? And Jistka gone. I had hoped that it would have fared better. How could its might not be a match for a fledgling nation like Osirion.

"This Pathfinder Society does sound interesting, though. Perhaps you would be willing to introduce me to your superiors.

"Ah, but first... if I am still here, is it possible that some of my fellow elementalists from Deep Sky have also survived?"

You would be welcome to help us look. We have but recently arrived, we do not know this place well.”

History 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (18) + 9 = 27

He responds, "Of course, of course. There is one other question I have now - what happened to the Citadel of the Weary Sky?"

The answer to this is in Scenario #2–09 The Heresy of Man, Part III: Beneath Forgotten Sands.

As you discuss, Korj returns to you, now accompanied by another ozimat. This startles the elementalist, but it is soon clear that no harm is intended. Korj says, "I seek other of my siblings now. Near this one's former body are some trinkets for you, as my way of saying thanks."

At the feet of the now-dormant stone golem, you find a number of small stone figurines, an adamantine chisel and a book.

Sukit picks up the book and chisels. He carefully opens it, but expects he won't be able to read it.

Vincenzo knows more than a few languages, so he peers over Sukit’s shoulder. Perhaps he can be helpful.

The book contains some sort of instructions, though it seems unlikely that you'll be able to use it without some sort of magical ability.

Spellcraft 1d20 + 21 ⇒ (12) + 21 = 33

Tess was intrigued by the tome. She tried to see if it was magical and then identify it.

While examining that, you notice that one of the statues is also magical.

Spellcraft 1d20 + 21 ⇒ (17) + 21 = 38.

Tess also examines the statue that caught her eye.

It's nonsense to me. Anything good?

At this point you have a fixed elemental gauge, the loot from the chasm and the fountain room, a really old elementalist who wants to become a Pathfinder, golems who are breaking out of their bodies and becoming spirits again, and a shaitan who is not in the best place mentally. Anything else you need to do before leaving?

On the way out, Vincenzo will cast enlarge person on himself. He will fit as many scrolls into his haversack as possible, and then carry whatever else he can out of this place. It can get re-sorted once at a safe distance.

Since you decided to head this way in the Discussion tab...

You leave the room with the fountain, and the elementalist follows you in hopes of an introduction to the Pathfinder Society. You collect as many works as possible from the library, storing them in Vincenzo's bag for later review, then move into the room with the elemental gauge to check the staircase you didn't have the chance to explore earlier.

The shaitan is still there, and as soon as he notices the elementalist, he screams, "Ocosten! How do you walk do you live? Have you come to issue more cruel, imperious commands to me? I shall take no more!" He then swings his earth breaker at Ocosten, but the blow never lands - it seems that the compulsion, though millennia old, still binds the shaitan.

At this point, you can choose to slay Ocosten for Illaton, battle against the shaitan instead, fight both, or try to negotiate.

No surprise on how I vote. I shall try to negotiate. But just in case my stare will go to the djin.

Wait! What you want to fight over is 8 8000 years gone. No have no reason to fight any more and both will only loose if you do so.

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 21 ⇒ (14) + 21 = 35

Aid another diplomacy 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (4) + 5 = 9

Tess also tries to smooth relations. ”You all can’t be mad after this many years...”