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"Let's just leave them here," Liora repeats, ignoring the insults. "They'll be found eventually - or later we can leave a tip-off somewhere so people will come and find them."
She glances over her shoulder.
"We're not all a bunch of murderers - but I know it's easier to hate us all if you think we are."
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The Pathfinders decide to leave this group tied up and head back upstairs - they've gotten everything they need! Next stop: the Cobalt Gallery of the Azure Hall to find the tome Primodrial Key of Ilyralane which details theories on how to free Ranginori from the Untouchable Opal.
Journeying to the Azure Hall is uneventful. Arriving there, they see an immense building that is crafted from blue marble that rests atop a crystalline dais with a central staircase connecting it to a stone courtyard below. Delicately carved scrollwork adorns the exterior walls, which are inlaid with rows of sapphire. A silver crest hangs above an open pair of imposing doors, which offer a glimpse into the lobby beyond. The rush of water responds from the imposing waterfall encircling the perimeter of the Azure Hall. Strings of bubbles float in the air around the Hall, faint light glowing from within the glossy orbs.
Though the lobby and central galleries of the Azure Hall are open to guests, the Cobalt Gallery is located in the east wing which is currently closed due to the recent renovation and will not be open to the public until after the grand re-opening the following week.
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As the party exists, Willard will tell the missionaries about the suli interlopers tied up in the basement, There are some rather irritable chaps secured in your basement, our apologies, but could you not let them out for a few hours, they need to really think about what they've done, and we don't want to hurt them anymore than we already have...
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"They're not bad people or anything but they need to cool their heels for a bit," Liora nods as they stop long enough to mention the four sulis tied up in the basement.
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A short while later, Liora can't help find herself impressed that they might just get the help of an actual dragon to get them inside the Cobalt Gallery.
"Huh...guess it's a good thing Yulau made the time to have a chat with Wan Feng then," she muses quietly. "Talk about friends in high places!"
Yulau manages to find Wan Feng studying quietly in an alcove. He looks up and immediately recognizes her. "Yulau! Great to see you again. What is that? Of course I'll help out!"
The dragon (who is in his Tien human form right now) walks up, quietly talks to the librarians while occasionally glancing over and pointing. After some talk, he walks back to the group. "Well... success! They'll let you in to do your studies. Just talk to the librarian over there and she'll give you the proper paperwork."
After receiving the paperwork and saying goodbye to Wan Feng, the group heads to the Cobalt Gallery. Here, mahogany bookshelves encircle the walls of the chamber with two rows of freestanding shelves spanning its length. Desks and chairs of varying sizes offer seating accommodation for the library's diverse patrons. Small tendrils of mist spiral up from the vapor fountain in the middle of the room - an elegant display of anchored cyclones. An open door on the western wall empties out into a hallway, and a ladder near the eastern wall leads up to the second floor balcony. The ceiling reaches sixty feet from the floor and is painted with a mural of imperious djinn soaring in the sky. The most striking details of the room, however, are the thick clouds suspended in the air between the balcony and the ceiling. Atop these stationary clouds rest additional bookshelves, chairs, desks, and podiums.
Library guards stand watch outside the wing. Handing the appropriate paperwork to them, the group can enter. Most of the accommodations are for small or medium sized creatures (such as the gnomes or sylphs who live in Armun Kelisk), but there are more accommodations for larger sized creatures as well.
You can get to the stationary clouds with additional bookshelves, etc. easily. You know the Primordial Key of Ilyralane is hidden somewhere in this room, but where!
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Willard wanders around in awe for a few moments, I could get lost in this place for days.... he looks along the mahogany shelves, idly scanning the spines of the books as he wanders, then heading to the second level, he begins his search in earnest, with Munnin upon his shoulder, quietly squawking in Skald in the Arcanist's ear.
The Pathfinders start searching for the book, the Primordial Key of Ilyralane. Pursuing the shelves, nothing seems to pop out. That is until Liora hops on one of the floating bookshelves on a cloud 40 feet above the second story balcony. Hidden in a secret compartment, she finds the book!
Opening up the Primodial Key of Ilyralane, Liora flips through it. Every single page has the same riddle, written in Auran. 7 lines. Seems like answering the riddle may 'unlock' the book.
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"Hey! Hey guys! I found it!" Liora calls out excitedly as she quickly and carefully hops off the cloud and heads back down to ground level with the book.
"But all the pages say the same thing," she frowns, repeating the riddle out loud for everyone's benefit. "Guess we need to figure out the answer before the book will show us anything else."
As Liora brings it over, she reads the riddle in Auran. But as the others look over her shoulder and start conversing in Common, the words transform before their eyes into Common (so now everyone can read the riddle).
When Willard suggests wind, the book awakens in a sudden flash of light. The animated image of a young girl wearing a jeweled turban appears on the page in scintillating ink. Melodic laughter echoes from the book as she offers a deep bow. "Hello, gentle reader," the illustration says in a lilting voice. "How may I assist you?"
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"I am Ilyralene, Lady of the Clouds and loyal servant of the Duke of Thunder. This book is my home and where I keep all my knowledge."
She glances over to Yulau. "The Concordance is a society of individuals dedicated to preserving neutrality and balance among the elemental planes. There are five leaders known as the Five Seats: the Seat of Earth, the Seat of Air, the Seat of Fire, and the Seat of Water. The fifth leader is the Seat of Balance, who is responsible for moderating discussions and overseeing the decisions of the others."
Ilyralene continues. "I have collected many theories on how to free Ranginori from the Untouchable Opal, but the one I feel is most credible involves the creation of a hammer crafted from the purest elements of fire, water, and earth. metal from the core of Aryzul's kingdom must be forged in fire hotter than Ymeri's hatred and then quenched in water colder than Kelizandri's heart. When such a weapon is applied to the Untouchable Opal, the gem should break and release my lord. Ostensibly, a similar treatment using equally powerful components might also suffice. For further reading about this subject, please refer to page 109."
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Thank you for sharing your knowledge with us! I wonder, there were a group of Suli who sought to stop us from gaining this knowledge. They were afraid of some cataclysmic event occurring should we learn it. Do you know anything else about these individuals who wouldn't want us learning of this? Willard clears his throat a minute, I too, seek balance of elemental forces, and carry the goal of achieving moderation of all elements in harmony. Is this something a mortal may pursue more fully? he asks, somewhat confused about the Concordance and his role in it.
"I do not know anything about those particular suli. There has been talk though that if one of the Elemental Lords were to be freed, the Elemental planes would become unbalanced. I know some sects believe that once unbalanced, it will become impossible ... or at least very difficult to rebalance the planes. At least, not with divine intervention.".
She pauses before continuing. "I don't know much about the current state of the world, beyond what is told to me. When the good-aligned elemental lords were imprisoned oh so many years ago, I placed my consciousness inside this tome to preserve my knowledge of the planes. I occasionally converse with people over the years to learn more information, but I cannot seek it out any more."
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"Hmm...well, what do you think?" Liora can't help but ask. "Do you think freeing Ranginori or any of the other goodly elemental lords will really bring about as much chaos as some people seem to think?"
"Because I dunno, I feel like they're exaggerating. Besides, originally there were eight instead of four. Releasing the others would actually put things back in the original balance that once existed!"
"I may be biased," Ilyralene speaks, "but I would love the Duke of Thunder back. I was a cherished servant after all. It would be so nice to see him again."
She continues, "As for whether it's a good idea or not, I don't know. I'm not all seeing nor all knowing. Just a humble servant. But there is evidence to support both cases."
As the group discusses the Untouchable Opal and the Concordance with Ilyralene, they hear the door to the Cobalt Gallery open up. Initially they don't recognize her, but then it hits them. The woman is Fairuza Bereket, who they briefly talked with at the gala. She approaches them with a stern look on their face and a finger pointing at them. "Why do you wish to release Ranginori. The balance among the elements depends upon the balance of power among the elemental planes! For tens of thousands of years, one elemental lord has reigned supreme over each plane. To release a second in the Plane of Air would disrupt the balance. It would bring about chaos, with the promise of war and suffering!". Her tone is harsh, but she's not as zealous as the suli you encountered earlier.
But before any of you comply, the door crashes in again. In walks a group - a sylph, an air elemental, an air mephit, and a pegasus. "We've been following you Fairuza! We know that you, the Concordance, and these Pathfinders are conspiring to release Ranginori. We can't let that happen! The Duchess of All Winds sees you as a threat and a traitor. Hshurha will have none of that."
Fairuza is quick to act. She quickly provokes the pegasus and the air mephit into following her out the second floor entrance and engages with them in a battle outside (). But the sylph and the air elemental stay put and focus their attention on you - the Pathfinders. "Stop now, or faith Hshurha's wrath!"
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[u]Round 1[/u]
Willard (10/10 hp)
Chalissier
Air Elemental
Maud (21/21 hp)
Kamishah (27/27 hp)
Yulau (17/17 hp)
Liora (16/16 hp)
Perhaps it's the thought of being surrounded without his allies - particularly the pegasus - but Chalissier is suddenly very afraid (). He turns around and run out the door. But the moment he's out of the door, he calls out, "Hey... wait a minute..." before turning back around to run back in the room.
The air elemental isn't so smart. It flies up to Maud and slams a fist into her jaw. The slam connects, but only leaves a small bruise ()
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[u]Round 1-2[/u]
Willard (10/10 hp)
Chalissier
Air Elemental
Maud (19/21 hp)
Kamishah (27/27 hp)
Yulau (17/17 hp)
Liora (16/16 hp)
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Maud will make sure to read page 109 if given the chance, and she intentionally asks Ilyralene to hypothesize what might happen if ALL the trapped good Elemental Lords might be freed at the same time. "Could that not also keep a sort of balance?"
When Fairuza shows up, Maud is just glad for once someone is ASKING them what they're doing instead of attacking them. She remembers that Fairuza told them of the library at the Cloisters of the Hidden Breeze where they found the Concordance puzzle and book that led them here. Whose side is she on? What's her motivation?
...But then Hshurha's team of 4 appears, and Maud just sighs and moves to defend herself and gather her power.
~ Now (Combat) ~
Normally, she would pass by the elemental to aim her fist on something more tangible. But this one was RIGHT up in her space, and in her way between her and the door - so she lashes out at it instead.
(Bludgeoning, Lethal)
Kamishah produces fire in his hands for when the sylph returns.
Willard points at the air elemental, who starts shaking it's head rapidly (successful save).
Yulau fires off two magic missiles directly at the creature. *boom boom*. Both land directly in its chest.
Then Maud comes in and destroys the elemental in a fury. ()
Liora then moves up to Kamishah and guides his actions.
The sylph Chalissier runs back into the room. "I just knew it! Hshurha will have none of it! Back down while you still have the choice!"
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[u]Round 1-2[/u]
Willard (10/10 hp)
Chalissier
Air Elemental
Maud (19/21 hp)
Kamishah (27/27 hp)
Yulau (17/17 hp)
Liora (16/16 hp)
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Maud will clamber on top of the table and strike her Shaitan Style monk pose with a serious face - waiting with fists prepped for the Sylph to come closer.
Elemental Monk archetype Feature description
Elemental Strike (Ex): An elemental monk gains Elemental Fist as a bonus feat, even if she doesn’t meet the prerequisites. She does not have to select an element; instead, each time she hits with an Elemental Fist attack, she can choose acid, cold, electricity, or fire for the type of the additional damage granted by that feat.
This replaces all of the monk’s bonus feats and stunning fist.
Elemental Fist (Combat Feat, Class Bonus)
When you use Elemental Strike pick one of the following energy types: acid, cold, electricity, or fire. On a successful hit, the attack deals damage normally plus 1d6 points of damage of the chosen type. You must declare that you are using this feat before you make your attack roll (thus a failed attack roll ruins the attempt). You may attempt an Elemental Fist attack once per day for every four levels you have attained (see Special), and no more than once per round.
Special: A monk of the four winds receives Elemental Fist as a bonus feat at 1st level, even if he does not meet the prerequisites. A monk may attempt an Elemental Fist attack a number of times per day equal to his monk level, plus one more time per day for every four levels he has in classes other than monk.
Yulau flings a missile towards the sylph! *Boom*! Lands directly on him.
Kamishah follows suit and hurls a ball of flame. It too scorches the sylph and he yelps in pain!
Liora joins in the fun! But her snowball flies over the sylph's head.
Maud readies an elemental strike if the sylph approaches, but he seems more mage-y than fight-y.
Then Willard yells at him! The sylph certainly looks dazed now.
The sylph blinks a few times unaware of his surroundings temporarily.
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[u]Round 2-3[/u]
Willard (10/10 hp)
Chalissier (-18 hp)
Air Elemental
Maud (19/21 hp)
Kamishah (27/27 hp)
Yulau (17/17 hp)
Liora (16/16 hp)
And the sylph is grappled!
"Get your nasty hands off of me!"
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[u]Round 2-3[/u]
Willard (10/10 hp)
Chalissier (-18 hp)
Air Elemental
Maud (19/21 hp)
Kamishah (27/27 hp)
Yulau (17/17 hp)
Liora (16/16 hp)
Shortly after the battle, Fairuza returns with her superior officer, Ashasar. "This is Ashasar, the Liaison of the Seat of Balance, the ambassador of one of the Concordance's five leaders."
An air elemental in the shape of a zeppelin hovers behind the Liason, dancing around whimsically. Ashasar smiles at the elemental, telling it something in Auran.
Ashasar apologizes, "Please forgive me for any previous hostilities. We are here to offer further explanations and answers about the Concordance."
"Protecting the balance among the elemental planes has been the most sacred task of the Concordance of Elements since its founding. When we learned that the Pathfinder Society came into possession of the Untouchable Opal, your organization loomed as a threat to everything we have dedicated our lives to defending. Tampering with the Opal could create a devastating imbalance in the fabric of the planes. I believed that the Society sought to create this imbalance without consideration for the consequences or, at the very least, was poised to bring about calamity through ignorance. However, I have come to understand another perspective. There are some within the Concordance that have been making the case that the only way to achieve true balance would be to liberate all four of the imprisoned elemental lords. I acted rashly, without consulting the Seat of Balance for approval."
He paces back and forth. "I am truly sorry for the trouble I have caused you by sending my agents against the Society. I allowed fear to blind my judgment, and I take full responsibility for the harm I have caused, both directly and indirectly. I understand that under these circumstances, your instinct may be to retaliate, and I would not hold it against you if you were to do so. However, we face a more immediate threat - the forces of Hshurha have labeled the Concordance and the Pathfinder Society as conspirators and traitors. In light of both the nuances of the decision regarding the Untouchable Opal and our common threat, it would be in both of our best interests to share information and resources, so that we may come to the most informed decision and protect each other from what may otherwise be an insurmountable opposition."
"What do you say?"
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"There are some within the Concordance that have been making the case that the only way to achieve true balance would be to liberate all four of the imprisoned elemental lords."
Maud isn't sure whether to be impressed or frustrated that they came to the same conclusion as her. Perhaps I absorbed more information from Jamila than I realized? In any case, she nods enthusiastically to an alliance.
"I can't keep track of who's with what faction, but if the steam lizard Herbert was a part of your group, we are sorry for his death - he was..." Maud thinks how to put it politely.
"..uh, quite committed to fighting us. Were the Suli masquerading as City Guards with the Concordance as well?"
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Willard looks around at the others, Well, I'm all for collaboration and working together - Hshurha seems to regard all of us as a threat... We definitely tried to reason with your agents and do as little harm as possible to them. I am a strong believer in balance myself, and strive to achieve elemental balances within myself. he seems quite satisfied with that, and waits to see what happens next!
Ashasar looks at Maud, "Yes, those were part of our organization. Some members can be a bit zealous in their views. I offer my condolences if they caused you any harm."
He smiles as the others talk. "Thank you for accepting my apologies. Please remain in Armun Kelisk while I perform some follow-up investigations and speaks to my superiors so that the Society and the Concordance can move forward as allies rather than adversaries."
You may remain as Jairo's guest during your stay and have full access to the Azure Hall.