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Lorian nodded as he retrieved the gem. " Good work everyone. Oh, and Pai, can you fix the drapes please? Thanks. he said, casting a spell to help mask the smell of brimstone.
Once the room was fixed back up the group headed over to the librarian. "Beyschosz has gone home, with his tail between his legs. You may wish to make him persona non grata at the library" he said, holding out the engram.
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"Oh, sure!" Pai cuts open all the drapes and pulls them fully open. "They really gotta open these windows to air this place out. Phew! I think he dropped a silent-but-deadly on his way out. Anyway, good job, guys! I'm glad he scooted before I finished with the curtains, 'cause if I had hit him...well, he probably would've been immune to my electric attack, and my other option is water, which doesn't mix so well with books, so... Yeah, I would've been banned from the library for that." She doesn't look too perturbed by the idea.
As soon as Lorian has informed the librarian of their success, she pipes up: "And we didn't even damage anything! Except the ropes that I think he used to tie down the drapes so they couldn't open. I cut those, 'cause the knots were way too tight to untie. But anyway, the room's all yours!" Yup. Pai's taking credit for the guys' hard work. 'Cause she's on the team, and she helped.
When Lorian touches the memory engram, it releases another flash of memory. Lorian sees Hao Jin during an early period of when she was creating the Tapestry and struggling with how to keep its plants and animals from dying off soon after being transported there. The vision then shifts to Hao Jin working on an enormous black sapphire radiating necromantic magic embedded in the floor of a room. Lorian understands that Hao Jin is using the sapphire to siphon off energy from dying souls departing the demiplane for the Great Beyond and infusing it into the fabric of the Tapestry. The scene shifts once more to a time occurring many centuries after the first. Here Hao Jin is being confronted by an olethros psychopomp who informs her that Pharasma has become aware that Hao Jin is stealing soul energy from her and is displeased. Hao Jin ignores the warning and leaves to visit Axis soon thereafter.
When the Pathfinders return to the Librarian, he seems to be very relieved to see them.
"Oh! I am so glad to hear it! Most excellent work, getting rid of that infernal, lawbreaking oaf. And without any damage to the books or the shelving! Please, if you are ever interested in perusing our magical tomes of self improvement, I can offer you special discounted access for such discerning customers. I believe we have Second Rank Manuals of Bodily Health, Manuals of Quickness in Action, Manusals of Gainful Exercise, Tomes of Clear Thought, Tomes of Leadership and Influence and Tomes of Understanding all available."
"Ah, and the engram you came for! Everything appears to be in order for you to check it out. You are now officially its current bearer, and may leave the Stylite with it."
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Lorian closed his eye as the flood of memories flow through his mind. When they finish, he frowned. "Looks like Hao jin was cheating Pharasma of her due. Please remind me to bring it up with Eleven-Sun-Truth when we are finished." He said, describing what occurred.
"It was a pleasure taking care of the foul devil, and the offer is most welcome." he said to the librarian. With that completed he looked at the group. "Time to take care of the last piece of the puzzle." he said.
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I am not thrilled that Hao Jin, in order to get the power to maintain the Tapestry, had used an enormous black sapphire radiating necromantic magic to draw souls that had perished on the demiplane and infusing them into the fabric of the Tapestry. I have a feeling that it will get real ugly when they leave the fabric all at once. Lorian said.
"But that would go well towards the debt that she owes Pharasma for stealing them in the first place.
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When the librarian mentions the Manual of Bodily Health, Pai catches her squeal of delight just as it is leaving her lips. eee! Sorry! Too loud. Sorry! It's just that--gosh, that's such a great opportunity! Thank you!"
After Lorain shares what he saw, Pai's excitement drains. "You mean, like, undead? Uh... SO! The last engram! Let's go get it! We gotta hurry, people! Come on! Come on! Come on!" Is she trying to change the subject?
Sukit doesn't see any scrying sensors or other suspicious things about.
The Pathfinders follow the directions to the Serene Circle. Travel portals to the Serene Circle do not take travelers directly to the Circle itself, but instead deposit them in one of the small neighborhoods bordering the plaza proper. These neighborhoods are comprised of simple dwellings with plain but visually-pleasing architecture and designs.
Acolyte Yakomo lives just a short walk away from both the travel portal and the Serene Circle proper. The area is largely uninhabited as the majority of the petitioners who live in this area are socializing and meditating following one of the periodic rituals. There are still a small handful of petitioners in the area, enough that the Pathfinders are able to easily Identify Acolyte Yakomo’s abode following Eleven-Sun-Truth’s directions.
The reinforced stone door to Acolyte Yakomo’s humble abode is shut and locked.
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"Hang on! We're coming!" Pai shouts, then flies around the building looking for a window or another door that's hopefully unlocked. Did they break in? Which way? Can we go in that way too? Even if I gotta fly downstairs to unlock the door for the big guys, that'll help, right? She tries to open every opening she finds. "Come on come on come on!"
Vrothum knocks the door down, revealing a small, tidy dwelling. There is a man tied up and gagged stuffed into the corner of the room.
When the Pathfinders untie and ungag the man, he calmly rises to his feet to address them. "I am Yakomo. You must be agents of the Pathfinder Society, I assume? Someone is looking for you."
"I was attacked and tied up by a gloomy elven woman a few hours ago. She seemed....troubled, more than malicious, as though she carried the weight fo far more hardshop than even an elf's long life could justify. While I am not pleased that I appear to have been drawn into a conflict between you and this woman..." Yakomo pauses for just a moment.
“Perhaps all is happening as it should. I find that is often the case in this city. Regardless, the woman seemed to know you would arrive. She bade me tell you that you should seek me out in the Serene Circle. Given what I saw of her magic, I expect she was being quite literal and waits there in my guise even now.”
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Sorry about your door, but I'm glad you appear alright. Do you perhaps remember any details of this woman? Hair color, eye color, garments? I'm wondering if perhaps it's the scrying woman from when we arrived, or maybe even HaoJin herself? Lorian are you familiar with these stones or stones like them? Could she be regaining these memories as we collect them? I'm afraid this is out of my expertise... Vrothum begins to go over their encounter with HaoJin for any peculiar behavior, and tries to think of anyone else that stands out from other events.
"She took the engram when she subdued me. She cast a spell, and I was paralyzed while she tied me up. She was an elf, short with dark hair, though she took my shape before she left. She did not leave anything here."
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Flying through the busted door several moments after the others, Pai arrives just in time to hear Yakomo's tale. "A few hours ago?! Are you hurt? Do you need some water or something? Do you still feel unsafe, like you're still in danger? We can give you some money to fix your door. How much does that run here? Ohhhh! We gotta hurry, but I don't feel right just blasting off without taking care of you!" Pai is all concern, patting his shoulder and hovering like an antsy mother hen.
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"Sorry about the door. You said she took your form? Hum, did she say anything as to why?" Lorian said, looking around.
" We need to catch her and will let the authorities know what had happened. We will bring her to justice. If you will excuse us, we need to get moving he added with a bow.
As the group headed to find her, Lorian started to make a plan of action. "My first thought is to play along, like she is the real Yakomo. Since she is a spell caster, we need to get close and jump her to keep her from casting a spell to get away. Have a gag and rope to quickly tie her up is my thought. he suggested.
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Once she's assured that Yakomo is okay, Pai follows the guys to go confront that meddlesome threat to the Tapestry people's lives, babbling urgently:
"Not that I think we can't handle this by ourselves, but shouldn't we alert the authorities first? I mean, I don't want to get in trouble for attacking her, and I think the ol' saying 'It's better to get forgiveness than permission' will take too long to come true here. The Tapestry will collapse before we get exonerated and all. But then again, they might tell us to stay out of it and send in their own folks to handle the situation, and they're prob'ly gonna take way too long and we'll never get the engram in time. UGH! There's no good answer. Forget everything I said. Let's just do it. You guys talk first, and if she doesn't give us the engram quickly enough, I'll blast her butt right off her body!" There's an interesting image.
"Do not worry about me, or my door. I assure you, I am quite fine. I think that in many ways, the woman may be in greater distress than that which she put me through. Her actions, they did not seem quite right, as if she is under great distress from an outside force. I hope that meeting with you will restore her harmony."
He bows. "Now, go. Ask for me at the circle, and my companions should point you to the imposter. Do no violence there; it is a place of peace."
The Serene Circle is an open-air plaza where Irori’s followers meditate, learn, and discuss the intricacies of the multiverse with one another. Miles across, it is covered in light-colored sand and dotted with tranquil fountains, reflecting pools, and carefully managed gardens. Countless remade petitioners dressed in loose, white robes stroll about engaging in quiet contemplation or are in conversation with others of their kind. Others sit and meditate quietly in the shade of blossoming fruit trees. The entire area is suffused with a deep sense of tranquility and peace.
On entering the circle, the Pathfinders realize the tranquility is more than just a feeling; it is magical, and pushes strongly against their minds.
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"I think that in many ways, the woman may be in greater distress than that which she put me through. Her actions, they did not seem quite right, as if she is under great distress from an outside force."
"Oh shoot! Well, that changes things. Maybe she can point us to whoever is pulling her strings."
Pai's formerly urgent chatter mellows out considerably. "Huh. That's different. Normally I'd be super pissed if anyone messed with my mind like this, you know? But I'm not even bothered this time. I wonder if I'll be later."
She flies over to the nearest person, calling lazily: "Yoo-hoo! Hello. We're looking for Yakomo. Have you seen him?"
"Oh, indeed. He indicated he would spend the afternoon meditating by the lotus fountain, I believe. It should be in that direction, about 3/4 of a mile."
The Pathfinders follow the direction, and after a 15 minute walk through the Serene Circle, finds "Acolyte Yakomo" sitting by the a fountain shaped like a lotus blossom, alone. As the Pathfinders approach within 50 feet, the man stands up and shimmers, turning into an elven woman with dark hair and a gloomy frown, giving way to a slight smirk.
"Greetings, Pathfinders. We finally meet in person."
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A smirk? Pai had been considering the possibility that this person was being used as a tool against their will, but now she's back to thinking this person's bad news in their own right. Normally she'd huff, cross her arms, and blurt out something that may or may not be helpful, but with the Calming effect of the Circle, all she can muster is a feeling of resignation. "Lorian, you're up. Good luck, man."
"I've been watching you. This seemed like the easiest way to get what I need for my mission." Her face slips back into a scowl. I have the engram, and I know you're trying to collect them as part of some deal with Hao Jin to stabilize the Tapestry. I don't care about that, but I do need something from you. A trade, from one of you senior Pathfinders. One of you gets me into Skyreach in the Grand Lodge, and gives me 5 minutes alone to take care of my business, and I give you the engram."
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Pai blinks several times. "... What?" She stares almost-incredulously. Almost, because of that darned calming spell. (Honestly, she's never been this chill in her life.)
Since she can't get all incensed by the obvious shadiness of that request, her mind switches to trying to figure out the logistics of it. Unless this random lady has a means to communicate with PFS senior management, there's no way to get their buy-in on this plan. And does she mean that she hands over the engram, *then* does her thing once the Tapestry is secured? 'Cause it'd be really easy to say "Yeah, sure, whatever," get the engram, then be all: "Fooled you!" (Yeahhhh. She's probably thought of that.) So what then? She does her thingy in Skyreach *before* giving up the engram? (That would suck a donkey's left hind hoof.)
"Uhhh... That sounds like it'll take long enough that getting the engram would be pointless by the time you're done, anyway. So why should we bother?"
She raises an eyebrow. "I can planeshift, and have the means to get close enough to land us in the Grand Lodge. You take me there, get me into Skyreach, then I shift us back and give you the engram. Should be 10 mintues, tops. Given the importance of this mission, I expect most of you should have the authority or at least the skills to get me in one way or another."
"You may call me 322. My...employer has something she wants from there. You don't need to concern yourself with what that is. And I do expect that you'll take me, or you're not going to get the engram."
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She raises an eyebrow. "I can planeshift, and have the means to get close enough to land us in the Grand Lodge. You take me there, get me into Skyreach, then I shift us back and give you the engram. Should be 10 mintues, tops. Given the importance of this mission, I expect most of you should have the authority or at least the skills to get me in one way or another."
Oh, so you just can't communicate effectively the first time. Pai's otherwise waspish comment just comes out as a lazy observation in her head. Then it occurs to her: This chick can plane shift. That means she's way above my pay grade. ... Alone, maybe. But with these guys? Maybe not. Pity she seems to smart to go for a walk with us and leave the circle. She thinks some more about what all this means and actually manages to come up with some mighty fine questions. She'll preen about it later, if she remembers.
"Ok. Two things. First: How do we know you're telling us the whole truth right now, and that you won't just 'change your plans' or do something else later, if we comply? And second: Who's your...'employer'? ... Wait--three things. Where's the engram now?" She manages to pull off a bit of bossiness in her tone, despite the dampening effect of the spell.
She scowls at Pai. "My employer is my business. As for changing my plans, the only thing I care about is getting my mission done with. You help with that, I get you the engram, and I'll leave you alone. You're going to have to trust me if you want the engram, unless one of you has truth sensing magic. As for the engram..." She pulls an item that looks similar to the two engrams in your possession out of a pocket. "I have that right here."
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So, again, you want us to take you, a stranger who works for an unknown patron, into the heart of the Society to take an unnamed object for an unstated purpose. And to convince us to help you figured robbery and extortion was the best path? And what? It won't be your fault when countless people die because you gave us a choice? That's like saying you can free the Whispering Tyrant or I can kill all the Knights of Last Wall. You are not blameless for the Tyrant's actions simply because you did not act directly.
Now I ask you again to explain yourself fully. And I remind you that I am a professional. My ability to do violence is not ruled by my emotions.
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"We will eventually find out who is your patron and they certainly won't be pleased with you when they find out your failure to convince us into this. It is also well known fact that you participated in raid against Skyreach few years before, so the Society leadership will be alerted the moment you are spotted within 100 feet of the Grand lodge."
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"OOO! What'll happen to you if you fail?" Pai's eyes light up, seeming to take a sadistic pleasure in her imaginations of the prospect. ('Cause surely her employer's a bad person, right? Who else would threaten the lives of so many thousands of people just to get a piece of junk? (It's probably magical, but still!))
Suddenly a sly smile slides across Pai's face. "We got off on the wrong foot, guys. Let's clear the air and start over. I say we just hug this out. Just hug, all friendly-like." She flies over to 322 with her arms spread wide for an embrace, glancing over her shoulder at the guys significantly.
322 gracefully sidesteps Pai as she puts the engram back in a pocket. She looks upset, and rather angry.
"Hey! Get away from me! You all, stay back or I'm leaving and you'll never get the engram!"
She turns to Lorian with a mixed look of fear and anger on her face and gestures violently.
"Look, I don't know what you want from me. Aslynn isn't the forgiving type but I'm not going to be any better off if I just, what, give you the engram and go? How's that going to help me? And yeah, as long as I have the engram, I've got something you need. Maybe you'll surprise me, but I doubt you're going to have an easy time finding me if I just planeshift out of here. You can still get what you need by giving me what I need."
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And you can help your case by telling us about Aslynn and what she wants. We can get what we want and you can get what you want, or everyone can walk away with nothing. I've personally had to fight off traitors and invaders from the Grand Lodge. You have gravely miscalculated if you think I'll allow myself to used in a similar plot, then you under gravely estimate my conviction.