
Zienvus Logolum |

Retaining his invisibility, Zienvus calls out, "Dr. Ritalson. We know what you've been up to. We've been to your secret subterranean laboratory and we have dispatched of your Guest. We know you seek to return to the Endless Spires, but to what end good doctor? What promises were made to you at the far end of the Aiudara? What is it from the Missing Moment do you seek to reclaim? Wealth? Power? What has Osoyo promised you?"
Diplomacy?: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (8) + 11 = 19

DM Brainiac |

"I don't know what happened, not precisely," Doctor Ritalson shouts back. "But I now Osoyo is a being of great power, and he has granted some of it to us, the chosen few. It's not enough. I need more! Which is why I must be the one to free him and claim all of the reward!"
Both the doctor and his oozy companion use their psychic powers to hurl loose debris inside the force field at the barrier, slowly starting to break down its integrity.
Telekinetic Projectile Damage after Hardness: 6d6 - 10 ⇒ (4, 2, 3, 1, 2, 6) - 10 = 83d6 - 10 ⇒ (6, 6, 4) - 10 = 6

Sylva Belle |

Sylva thinks it foolish to give away her position of stealth. But then, there’s no reason to hide the fact that she’s here either.
⏩️Musical Accompaniment
Exciting battle music begins to play!
“I should give you five seconds to stand down. But you were nice to me about that fork, so I’ll give you six.”
With the music all around, Sylva chances that shouting out doesn’t necessarily mean the doctor or his little green friend can pinpoint her location.
She swiftly and silently moves elsewhere—
▶️Stealth - swift sneak/foil senses: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (14) + 18 = 32
Move within 15 feet of the doctor, not on the same side that Bat and Z are on, in case of AoE attack.
—close enough to shout at the doctor and blast him with ice magic.

Zienvus Logolum |

As Dr. Ritalson begins rattling on about his intentions, Zienvus probes his mind to see if there's anything else being left out.
Cast Mind Reading, DC 26 Will
Meanwhile, he also takes a look at the elf gate, to see if Ritalson has prepared it in any particular way to reach the Endless Spires.
Recall Knowledge: Elf Lore: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (15) + 18 = 33

Sir Batman |

Sir Batman listens to the exchange between Zienvus and Dr. Ritalson. His blue eyes watching the attempt at departure of his perdictament, the invisible bronze-color bat-shaped Sprite frowns.
Raising his Shield, he Strides Stealthily to stand directly in front of the misbehaving doctor.
Stealth(T), invisible: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (3) + 11 = 14
He then begins making funny faces at him...

DM Brainiac |

Will vs Mind Reading: 1d20 + 20 ⇒ (3) + 20 = 23
Telekinetic Projectile Damage After Hardness: 6d6 - 10 ⇒ (5, 4, 6, 1, 4, 6) - 10 = 163d6 - 10 ⇒ (6, 1, 2) - 10 = -1
Zienvus reads Doctor Ritalson's surface thoughts. The doctor is incensed by your perceived betrayal and desperate to defeat you so that all of his hard work doesn't go to waste! He is obsessed with attempting to free Osoyo and increase his own psychic power. His intelligence is of comparable levels to Zienvus'.
Again, the doctor and his oozy familiar hurl projectiles at the force field, weakening it further. Another good hit or two will shatter the barrier!

Sir Batman |

The waiting bronze-color bat-shaped Sprite Enters his Stance, Raises his Shield and waits....
Stealth(T), invisible: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (5) + 11 = 16

Zienvus Logolum |

"The Doctor intends on freeing Osoyo in hopes to gain more power! He must be stopped!" shouts Zienvus, then, more directly to Ritalson, "Many a fool has engaged in such pursuits, only to be betrayed by their own hubris. You have brought upon your own destruction."
In preparation of Ritalson's freedom, Zienvus will focus on protecting himself and his allies, and a ring of abjurative glyphs expands outward from him.
Protective Wards: +1 status bonus to AC, current 5ft emanation.
He follows this with casting Mystic Armor.
Current AC: 25

Sylva Belle |

Sylva is clearly conflicted about attacking the doctor while he’s confined (even if she could without accidentally freeing him).
She studies the creature perched on the shoulder of the once-perceived-as-‘good’ doctor.
▶️Recall Kn., Nature(?): 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (4) + 13 = 17
Other than that, she is ⏩️ready to bolt under the protective Bat-Shield, IF the doctor (or the green guy, whatever he is, targets her. I think it’s two actions to ready a one-action move, and my action’s condition is: if Sylva is targeted. It would be silly to rush into an AoE move when I’m better off staying put. If the stealth rolls hold as long as Sylva is quiet and in one place, she probably will not be targeted.

DM Brainiac |

It's Occultism to identify the ooze.
Telekinetic Projectile Damage After Hardness: 6d6 - 10 ⇒ (3, 5, 3, 1, 2, 6) - 10 = 10
Doctor Ritalson hurls another projectile, and the force barrier shatters! The ooze thing uses its own telekinesis to try to trip Batman, but the champion stays on his feet.
Trip, Telekinetic Maneuver: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (5) + 14 = 19

Sylva Belle |

Sylva’s heart isn’t in a fight, if she’s to be honest. But she also knows that what Dr. Ritalson did to the barrier, he’ll do to her.
However, she ▶️strides over to the bronze bat and picks on the someone her own size.
“You’re cute, so I’m just gonna knock you out.”
Nonlethal damage, because she can.
▶️Tumbling Strike! vs. Ref.DC: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (6) + 18 = 24
Dmg: 2d4 + 6 + 2d6 ⇒ (2, 1) + 6 + (6, 1) = 16
▶️Attack: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (12) + 18 = 30
Dmg: 2d4 + 6 + 2d6 ⇒ (3, 3) + 6 + (5, 5) = 22
Dmg: 2d4 + 6 + 2d6 ⇒ (1, 4) + 6 + (2, 5) = 18

Sir Batman |

The invisible bronze-color bat-shaped Sprite frowns at the ooze. Not making any overtly loud sounds, the Champion of Mazludeh Raises his Shield, surprises the Doctor by yelling in his face (he flutters high enough) and bashes him in the nose!
Intimidation(E) to Demoralize: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (13) + 16 = 29
Bad Doctor!
Melee(E) +1, Striking Shield Boss, flank: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (12) + 17 = 292d8 + 6 ⇒ (8, 5) + 6 = 19 Traits B, Attached to Shield, magic
Zienvus! Can you incapacitate that ooze?

Zienvus Logolum |

"I can most certainly try!"
Zienvus targets the strange ooze familiar, It can sense us through our invisibility and communicate to the Dr, so it must have an intellect.
With a snap of his fingers, he tries to crack the oozes mind.
Cast Amped and Heightened Daze
Mental Damge, Basic Will DC 26: 3d10 ⇒ (2, 4, 9) = 15
Fail: Until end of next turn, gains Weakness 2 (Mental) and -1 to Will. Crit Fail: Weaknesses 4 (Mental), -1 Will, and Stunned 1. Weakness applies before Daze deals dmg.
He then maintains the growing sphere of swirling abjurative sigils about him. +1 to AC, now 10ft emanation.
Current AC 25

DM Brainiac |

Will vs Daze: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (7) + 16 = 23
Zienvus weakens the ooze's mind with his magic. Sylva strikes it twice, but is unable to sneak attack as it has no vulnerable spots. Batman bashes Doctor Ritalson, but he manages to dodge Sylva's opportune strike.
Snarling, the doctor casts a spell and raises as shield of force, then stabs at Batman with his dagger. The bat blocks the attack! Meanwhile, the ooze slams Sylva with telekinesis, battering her and knocking her away!
Dagger vs Batman: 1d20 + 19 ⇒ (3) + 19 = 22
Telekinetic Slam vs Sylva: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (18) + 15 = 331d20 + 10 ⇒ (19) + 10 = 291d20 + 5 ⇒ (5) + 5 = 10
Damage: 2d12 ⇒ (3, 11) = 142d12 ⇒ (1, 1) = 2
Improved Push: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (12) + 15 = 271d20 + 15 ⇒ (10) + 15 = 25
16 force damage to Sylva and she is pushed 10 feet away.

Zienvus Logolum |

Zienvus follows up his amped cantrip with another spell, targeting the oozes weakened will.
Cast Befuddle,Will DC 26.
He continues to focus on and extend the swirling sphere of abjurative sigils. +1 to AC, now 15ft emanation.
Current AC 25, still invisible.

Sir Batman |

Sir Batman --Reacts--quickly Shield Blocking the strikes against his Rogue!
Shield Warden
Resistance 14 so -2 HP each.
Unless ...
The Champion of Mazludeh then--Reacts--justs as quickly to grant Sylva more protection!
Liberating Step Resistance 10 plus Free Step
Having exhausted his Reactions (for the moment), Sir Batman Raises his Shield, winks at Sylva and brings the pain!
Melee(E) +1, Striking Shield Boss, flank?: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (8) + 17 = 252d8 + 6 ⇒ (4, 5) + 6 = 15 Traits B, Attached to Shield, magic
And, because...
Melee(E) +1, Striking Shield Boss, flank?: 1d20 + 17 - 5 ⇒ (20) + 17 - 5 = 322d8 + 6 ⇒ (5, 7) + 6 = 18 Traits B, Attached to Shield, magic

Sylva Belle |

Sylva ▶️rushes the doc!
“I can’t believe I trusted you!”
She tumbles under the Doc’s legs and kicks his ankle!
▶️Tumbling Strike: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (10) + 18 = 28
Dmg: 2d4 + 6 + 2d6 ⇒ (2, 3) + 6 + (6, 4) = 21
“Were you always this power-hungry? Or did you change?”
She jump-punches his armpit!
▶️Atk: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (9) + 18 = 27
Dmg: 2d4 + 6 + 2d6 ⇒ (4, 2) + 6 + (4, 4) = 20
Dmg: 2d4 + 6 + 2d6 ⇒ (4, 2) + 6 + (4, 3) = 19

DM Brainiac |

Will vs Befuddle: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (5) + 15 = 20
"Osoyo didn't change me. It merely gave me the power and courage to take everything that I've always deserved!" Doctor Ritalson retorts. But any further comments turn into grunts and snarls of pain as both Sylva and Batman pummel him mercilessly! As Batman slams with his his shield, Sylva takes the opportunity to kick him one more time, and with a groan, he collapses.
Meanwhile, Zienvus befuddles the ooze, overwhelming its senses! The thing lights up and quivers as it synapses flare in a distressed pattern, and it huddles near the unconscious doctor, no longer a threat.
Dr. Ritalson has: +1 leather armor, greater pendant of the occult, scroll of black tentacles, scroll of confusion, scrolls of fly (2), +1 striking dagger. The rest of the gear here consists of a large collection of survival supplies (including a well-stocked backpack, a tent, a set of short skis, snowshoes, navigating tools, snow goggles, etc.). The bulkier items are set aside in a pack, but most of them, including 90 days of rations, are stored in a type III bag of holding.

Sylva Belle |

Sylva asks the others, “What do we do with him? I don’t wanna kill him.” She wonders if he’ll be executed for his crimes anyway, but “he did cut me a lot of slack when I stole his fork. Sure, he was probably just manipulating me, but that experience set me on a path where I really have no desire to steal. And I realized how much it meant to me when I hunted down the psycho that murdered that poor Desnan girl, and took him out.”
She recalls that day vividly, including the unpleasantness. And as she thinks on it, she has no regrets at all. It was a moment that showed her the difference between turning a blind eye to evil, and taking immediate action to stop it. A prisoner would have died, had she hesitated…
“Dr. Ritalson has to answer for his crimes, though. So I’m not saying we let him go.” She turns to Snowy Owl. “Am I being unrealistic?” Sylva has to admit, she and her friends aren’t authority figures. Hauling the doctor off to prison would be troublesome, which is fine, but “is calling on Osoyo even considered a crime?
“I just… don’t want him to kill anyone. But I…” The sprite’s eyes start to well. Killing the serial killer was easy to do. She saw a woman’s blood trail. She knew what horrible fates his victims suffered. But this is Dr. Ritalson! He was merciful. He was deceptive. He betrayed her but does that make him so bad that…?
Her eyes flicker to the dagger. Then she looks at Snowy Owl. She can’t bear to even ask…

Zienvus Logolum |

"What we found in his laboratory indicates Dr. Ritalson had killed many Gatewalkers such as ourselves. He was harvesting their psyche in a vain attempt to empower this gate. We can turn him into the authorities and present his 'experiments' as evidence to condemn him."

Sir Batman |

Sir Batman points at his nose while also pointing at Zienvus.
Manacled, shackled, blindfolded, gagged and we take him and the evidence to the proper authority.
The Champion of Mazludeh begins to expedite those things...

Sylva Belle |

“Killed…? Many.”
Perhaps the evidence was there in front of her, as Zienvus had easily seen. But I was in denial. And the ‘good doctor’ would’ve murdered me in my sleep…
She puts a hand on Sir Bat’s shoulder. “The shackles won’t be necessary.” She glances at the dagger.
Unless someone objects, Sylva delivers the coup de grâce.

DM Brainiac |
1 person marked this as a favorite. |

Sylva executes the doctor, putting a permanent end to his villainy. Severed from its familiar bond, the oozy creature sloughs away in pursuit of its own enigmatic devices.
***
In the aftermath of the battle at Lichgate, you inform the other Gatewalkers at Doctor Ritalson's manor of his demise. They agree to spread the word throughout the organization and urge you to continue on your path of stopping Osoyo.
With enough time, Zienvus is able to peruse all of Ritalon's journals to learn more about what he had been up to:
2—Blackfrost: The notes describe the physical effects of blackfrost, boast about Etward’s immunity, mention its capacity to create blackfrost zombies, and ruminate upon the true nature of the curse, theorizing that “Osoyo’s dreams” may be the source of the ash-like substance. The fact that blackfrost seems to progress more quickly when an afflicted creature dreams has further intrigued Etward, although he’s not sure yet what to make of this observation.
3—Dreams: Here Etward details how, ever since the Missing Moment, he’s been able to invade the dreams of other gatewalkers. The notes further reveal how obsessed he’s become with dreams and his quest to find a way to travel to the legendary Dreamlands, where he believes he will be reunited with his missing memories and become much more powerful.
4—Gatewalkers: These notes provide a full list of all of the gatewalkers he’s watched through dreams, including your group, the other gatewalkers you've encountered and, in particular, Queen Equendia of Skywatch. His descriptions of her leading the city’s population north on a dangerous journey to the Crown of the World are tinged with admiration and jealousy—it’s obvious Etward wishes he commanded this level of servitude over a large group of people. The notes conclude with him wondering if the queen reached the Nameless Spires, and ponder “what she might now be” after spending time amid the blackfrost and dreams of Osoyo.
5—The Guest: These notes describe how Etward found a partial, oversized mummified hand in his belongings when he woke from his Missing Moment, and how he’s been growing that hand back into a full body. He calls the resulting creature “the Guest” and describes the containment chamber he built.
6—Mind Harvesting: These notes detail how Etward has been harvesting the minds of gatewalkers and infusing their memories and psychic powers into Lichgate. He hopes to use the aiudara to merge their psychic energies with his own so he can then stand before Osoyo at the Nameless Spires and use his enhanced power to free the entity from its prison. The notes include the names of previously harvested gatewalkers, and include the your names with an extra note observing how “the potential in the dreams of these final pawns may be the greatest of them all.”
7—Nameless Spires: Etward’s notes detail how he’s come to believe that he made an expedition to the Nameless Spires during his Missing Moment, and how he’s concluded that, if he can return there and dream in the Spires’ vicinity, he will be granted entry into the Dreamlands and discover a method to significantly enhance the psychic gifts he gained from Osoyo (or hopes to steal from his gatewalker victims).
8—Ogmunzorius: The discovery of a strange hand found in his belongings pales against Etward’s discovery of a strange presence within his laboratory—an entity named Ogmunzorius. Etward theorizes that Ogmunzorius is a “sending” from Osoyo’s dreams, and takes the entity’s presence as proof that he is some sort of “chosen one” intended to release Osoyo from its prison in return for even greater mental powers and, perhaps, the key to reaching the Dreamlands. The notes also mention how Ogmunzorius assisted Etward in conjuring guardians for the laboratory, but notes that these creatures were “untrustworthy” and that Etward further ensured their compliance with inveigle rituals.
9—Osoyo: Etward’s notes go round and round, theorizing on what Osoyo might be. An alien? An undead god? The collective consciousness of the long-dead builders of the Nameless Spires? His own mind projecting back to guide him from the future? These and wilder theories fill pages, but throughout it all shines Etward’s obsession—his fear that if he’s not the one to release Osoyo, he will go unrewarded. This fear becomes eclipsed near the end of the notes by the greater fear that your group might seek to push Osoyo back into its prison, thus stripping all gatewalkers of their powers.
10—The Vanished Yurt: Etward notes in many places that more than memories went missing during his Missing Moment—there are gaps in his fortune as well, indicating that he spent a fair amount of money during the Missing Moment. His investigations have revealed that this money went toward financing an expedition to the Nameless Spires, but the apparent loss of one of his family’s greatest treasures, an explorer’s yurt, intrigued him the most. He secured a scroll of discern location and used it to make an astonishing discovery—his family’s explorer’s yurt is now located in a remote abandoned temple devoted to Findeladlara, the elven goddess of architecture, art, and twilight. This temple can be found at the very edge of the High Ice, about 5 days’ journey from Icegate in the Crown of the World.
***
It would seem that all of the answers to the quandary of the Missing Moment lie at Golarion’s north pole, at a legendary ruin known as the Nameless Spires. Snowy Owl’s quest to defeat the evil that threatens her people requires her to travel north, and at this point, even in her strange new incarnation, she can’t help but breathe a sigh of relief that her goals and yours now seem to be fully in sync—her compulsion to remain with you has paid off.
"Rest and prepare as best you can. We have a long journey ahead of us," Snowy Owl proclaims.
Everybody gains a Hero Point and is now level 9!

Sylva Belle |

The Execution
Sylva’s eyes have that distant look they had before, when she gutted the centaur, or when she was doused in the blood of the predator that swallowed Sir Bat.
But her expression brightens as the little slime creature scampers off.
He’s free…
She lets someone else carry the dagger. I believe Sylva already has a +1 Striking Rune. I could probably benefit from the armor, though.
• • •
At Present
Sylva flits about on wings. Wings! She remembers stories of the wingless sprite Hotcha, who barely survived the final battle in the Ruby Phoenix tournament and struck the winning blow. Her wings were seven colors of wines and ales! Will I ever earn wing like her, and what will they be like?
Her wings fade after a while, but Sylva sleeps well that night, knowing she’s going through the first change. Someday, she will no longer be referred to as Wingless..!

Sir Batman |

Sir Batman seems anxious to finally be free of the Doctors influence. The bronze colored bat-shaped Sprite only nods in acceptance of the sentence being carried out by Sylva.
Probably the best recourse since he probably would have continued to cause havoc.
Sir Batman also seems anxious to begin this final leg of this mystery of Osoyo.
Whatever this entity is we must keep it there.

DM Brainiac |

Part 3, Chapter 2: Into a Frozen Hell
As you prepare for your journey to the Crown of the World, you study the map form Etward's hidden laboratory, the path taken during the Missing moment. The route shown on the map depicts a 685-mile overland journey from Icegate, near the shores of Whitefang Bay, to the Nameless Spires at the planet’s north pole. This route passes through truly remote reaches of the world, far from the one major trade route (the Path of Aganhei) that crosses the continent. Once you begin your journey, you will be very much on your own.
The bulk of the journey is across the High Ice, a barren polar plateau buried under a mile of ice. The terrain itself is rough and unpredictable, jagged and scared by glacial shifting, riven with crevasses, and often battered by devastating blizzards and winds. The further toward the north pole one travels, the less plentiful wildlife becomes—what creatures are encountered there tend to be dangerous and supernatural in nature. To even reach the Nameless Spires, you will need to prepare for the following:
Etward’s notes indicate he left important supplies at a base camp 5 days from Icegate in the ruins of an ancient temple. These supplies include a magic item that will alleviate many of your challenges—an explorer’s yurt.
Temperature: The explorer’s yurt will protect the party while they’re inside, but they’ll still need to brave the sub-freezing temperatures when they travel (and for the first 5 or so days, they won’t even have the yurt to rely on). Winter clothing or spells like endure elements will be of a significant aid on the early stages of the trip, but there’ll be times when the temperature will be so low that even these methods of protection won’t avail. Having at least some access to items that grant cold resistance will help them to make it through these events.
Travel: This adventure assumes the characters travel on foot, as they are unlikely to have access to more specialized forms of overland arctic travel like dogsleds. Travel aids such as skates, skis and poles, snow goggles, and snowshoes will all aid them. Fortunately, many expeditions to far-off places launch from Lepidstadt, so the group can find all of these travel supplies for sale in town. The easiest way to do so is to purchase a polar travel kit. Cautious characters may purchase backup kits. Every character in the group (excluding Snowy Owl) who doesn’t carry a polar travel kit imparts a cumulative –1 penalty to the group’s Survival checks to make progress on the journey, to a maximum penalty of –4. At your discretion, a character whose gear already closely duplicates that found in a polar travel kit need not carry one.
Polar Travel Kits: A polar travel kit costs 30 gp and is 4 Bulk. Each kit includes a bedroll, a climbing kit, a compass, a small knife, a repair kit, a short shovel, a short saw for cutting ice, a set of skis and poles, a pair of snow goggles, a pair of snowshoes, a spyglass, twenty tindertwigs, and two sets of winter clothing.

Sir Batman |

Sir Batman seems a bit anxious to be on this journey to the Icegate. The bronze-color bat-shaped Sprite does seem to be...not too intellectually inclined to think about Survival stuff....
He breathes fire, so he considering that a win.

Sir Batman |

Polar Travel kit (30gp)
Sleigh (50gp)
Dogs x12 (2.4 go or more)
Animal Feed(unique) 1 week (1sp) x 24(?)
Harness (8sp) x6
Tent(4 person) (5gp)

DM Brainiac |

When you are ready to set off on their journey, you touch a moonstone to the archway of Lichgate to activate it. This causes the archway to fill with what appears to be a roiling cloud of ice and mist. Blasts of snow and wind churn around you as you step through the portal.
The cold weighs down the atmosphere like a heavy blanket, cutting like knives against exposed flesh and turning every breath into a painful gasp. Blinding sunlight bears down upon the whiteness of the surroundings, reflecting off of snow in a dazzling array that burns the eyes. It almost makes it hard to see the motion on all sides as several figures emerge from that whiteness, weapons drawn. A voice calls out in strangely accented Common: “Who goes there?”

Sir Batman |

Dressed in many layers of bronze-color furs (he paid to have them dyed), Sir Batman cracks the whip initiating the yelps, barks, howls to erupt with excitement and enthusiasm! Launching forward the dog sleigh slides through the Gate into its more natural habitat.
At the sudden approach of the mysterious inhabitants, the Champion of Mazludeh halts the dog sleigh. Stepping off the sleigh to walk slowly forward with his hands empty, Sir Batman bows.
Greetings those who inhabit this fine land. I am Sir Batman, Champion of Mazludeh. We have come to discourage, disrupt, defeat the rising calamity that threaten all of Golarian.
Diplomacy(E) to Make An Impression: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (9) + 16 = 25
The bronze-color bat-shaped Sprite shades his blue eyes.
Apologies if I snow plowed anyone. Couldn't rightly see you because of the Sun and how stealthy you were.

Zienvus Logolum |

Still updating Zienvus...
After preparations have been made, Zienvus bravely sets foot through the gate and into the blizzardly cold. He wraps his purple robes tightly around him and turns to Snowy Owl as they are quickly approached.
"We are likely not the ones expected to come through... Are these friends of yours?"

DM Brainiac |

Once your eyes adjust to the brightness, you can see you have stepped through a pale arch carved into the side of a stony outcropping at the edge of a small copse of pine trees. It looks out over a small frozen lake and fields of snow. Six tall, white-haired elves stand around you with bows at their sides. They have arrows nocked, but they aren't aimed at you... yet.
"What is your purpose here?" the lead elf, a woman in fur armor, asks. "Do you know what happened here? Do you know what happened to Ilakni?"

Zienvus Logolum |

Recall Kn.: Elf Lore: 1d20 + 19 ⇒ (11) + 19 = 30
For any information on Icegate, what happened here, or the name Ilakni?
Being a tall, white-haired elf himself, Zienvus steps forward, hands up in a gesture of peace.
"As my diminutive friend states, we are Gatewalkers, investigators into the mystery of our own Missing Moment. My name is Zienvus Logolum, of Iadara, by way of The Academy of Scribes. Our journey has lead us here, in search of a place called the Nameless Spires, where we expect to confront a creature known as Osoyo, whom we believe is ultimately responsible."

DM Brainiac |

Zienvus recognizes the elves as Ilverani, known among outsiders variously as snowcaster elves, who dwell in the far north of Golarion in the mountains around the Crown of the World. The Ilverani are descended from a group of Mierani elves who chose not to flee underground or to Sovyrian in the face of Earthfall. Instead, they remained above ground to build shelters and save as many others as possible, before travelling north and becoming Ilverani. While these shelters are no longer necessary, the Ilverani continue to view helping others as an honor to that legacy. Nevertheless, as a group, Ilverani also maintain a distrust of strangers, which may speak to some unknown historical betrayal.
At your diplomatic overtures, the elven woman relaxes a bit. "You are heading to the Nameless Spires? A foolish venture. Even if you survive the trip across the High Ice, none who visit the Spires return the same, if even they return at all. But I suppose you are free to make your own poor decisions.
"I apologize for the tense reception. My name is Ilinquil. My twin brother Ilakni was previously assigned to guard this gate, but he went missing several months ago. I have been hoping to find out what happened to him ever since, but have unfortunately learned nothing so far. You are the first travelers to appear here since I arrived. I had hoped you might have some insights, but, alas..."

Zienvus Logolum |

Zienvus perks up a finger, "Ah, but fair Ilinquil, I do believe we can offer a fair amount of insight, and I dare say, hope, into your brother's disappearance. For, you see, we too vanished through an aiudara such as this, at the same time as your brother, only to emerge without any memories of what happened to us beyond the gate. But, our investigation has lead us to believe we were taken to The Nameless Spires by this being known as Osoyo. For what purpose, we know not, but our former mentor seemed to believe we were meant to free Osoyo from some sort of captivity. If your brother remains missing, it is very possible he remains at The Nameless Spires under the many eyes of Osoyo. We can promise you, if we find him there, we will free him, as with the many others who remain missing to this day."

Sylva Belle |

Sylva is very well covered, albeit by an outfit that is completely transparent from the inside so the hood cannot impair Sylva’s peripheral vision. She considers using her Dweomerweave Robe’s magic to reveal her mark of the gatewalker… but how idiotic she would look for the next 24 hours!
She draws the Mark of the Gatewalker in the snow.
“All of us who had a missing moment bear this mark. Have you seen the mark on your brother, by any chance? We’re all covered up because of the cold, but… y’know, if it’s on the back of his hand or his forehead or whatever.” And come to think of it, the woman is a guard—now anyway; not necessarily when her brother disappeared. But is it possible she was guarding the gate with him and his disappearance is her missing moment?
Sylva takes the chance, though it’s such a long-shot… she would feel a bit dumb asking the woman if she bears the mark herself. She might not even have seen it on her brother, like what if it’s on his butt?
So anyway, Sylva points to the mark she drew and asks the elven woman, “Is the mark familiar to you?”

Sir Batman |

Still standing on the sleigh, the bundled bronze-color bat-shaped Sprite flexes his wings to fly over to the Ilverani Elf.
Foolish is our middle name. Besides, we came all this way. What's another few weeks in an inhospitable land. We would appreciate any aid, advice (relevant to our mission), supplies and maps or preferably guides for our journey.
The diminutive Champion of Mazludeh smiles.

DM Brainiac |

Ilinqiul shakes her head when Sylva shows her his mark. "No, I haven't seen this mark before. But you seem to be well-suited to finding out what happened to him. We will remain here and hope for good news. I should warn you to be careful as you approach the High Ice. There is an ancient temple of Findeladlara there, but it was abandoned ages ago after a strange infestation of shadows and ash overtook the building. Our people have avoided the site for generations."
The Ilverani elves step aside and allow you to pass.
***
The first 5 days of the expedition route are relatively safe, as you travel across tundra from Icegate to the temple of Findeladlara. This stage of the journey is relatively uneventful. Shrubbery, small trees, and lichen provide enough materials for small fires, and the weather plays nice and remains calm and clear.
The last day of the trek is along the edge of the continent’s vast central plateau. The edge of the plateau to the north is a relatively sheer icy cliffside that averages at a height of 400 feet for hundreds of miles in either direction—according to Etward’s notes, though, the temple of Findeladlara is the closest site to Icegate where ascending to the High Ice can be done in relative safety.
An astounding sight breaks the monotony of ice here, where an ancient temple looms against the cliffside. The seven-spired structure appears to have been sculpted entirely out of ice, seamlessly merged with the ice of the cliff wall itself. The six spires arrayed at its hexagonal points each rise a further fifty feet above the cliff top, while the central spire rises a full hundred feet higher. Smaller ridges run up the length of the temple between these spires; the southernmost two of these appear to have become overgrown with some sort of thick, wiry black lichen or fungus far above. As the wind passes over the angles and corners of the temple, it creates a mournful whistling sound, almost as if the structure itself were bemoaning the loss of its inhabitants—or perhaps warning new travelers from approaching too closely!

Sir Batman |

Sir Batman frowns.
So no on the whole lending us an actual native guide? You're right. Builds character. Mush puppies!
The Champion of Mazludeh seems excited for the journey!
Are we there yet!?
On that fateful fifth day of asking that same question, the morose bronze-color bat-shaped Sprite looks up, up, up, up....up, up...up at the majestic ice temple.
Last one there does laundry! Even the unmentionables!
The excited Sprite (on the dog sleigh) begins to mush quickly onwards!

Sylva Belle |

I guess this is our rest stop.
Sylva follows Sir Bat to the temple, cautiously. Aaaaand stealthily, in case he draws the attention of a creepy creature.

Zienvus Logolum |

"Ritalson's notes identify this ancient temple as being the safest route up the High Ice," reiterated Zienvus as they approach the icey monument, "but the Ilverani seem to think this place the home of something dangerous. I myself don't like the look of those southern walls. We best be cautious."

Zienvus Logolum |

Prepared Spells for the day:
Cantrips: Warp Step, Light, Phase Bolt, Shield, Tel. Projectile, Time Sense, Void Warp, Message
Rank 1: Mystic Armor, Gentle Landing, Befuddle, Command
Rank 2: Mirror Image, Revealing Light, Invisibility, Dispel Magic
Rank 3: Heat Metal (H+1), Slow, Agitate (H+2), Enthrall
Rank 4: Fly, Scorching Ray (H+2), Resilient Sphere, Dispelling Globe
Rank 5: Force Barrage (H+4), Flame Dancer, Truespeech

DM Brainiac |

As you approach the temple, you see that the carved-ice door permitting entrance into this strange, frozen structure is damaged, as though it were partially melted and then allowed to re-freeze along its edges in an attempt to lock it in place.
Before you can inspect it further, however, two skeletal undead suddenly rise up out of the icy ground, leaving no trace of their passage! Freezing vapor curls from the gruesome creatures like steam, ash-blackened snow packed among their bones along with befouled earth. They move to block your approach!
Sir Batman: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (17) + 11 = 28
Sylva: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (11) + 18 = 29
Zienvus: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (1) + 15 = 16
Enemies: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (11) + 15 = 26
Batman and Sylva may act first!

Sir Batman |

Sir Batman seems to be looking around for someone to go first....
Realizing that he actually won initiative the right to act first, the Champion of Mazludeh considers his many options....
Smiling wide as if he were a silly goblin and not actually a proper sprite, Sir Batman Enters his Stance and Breathes the hottest fire from his Sprite mouth!
Ice skeletons!
Storming Breathe
Fire! Reflex DC 25 : 7d6 ⇒ (6, 1, 6, 1, 1, 6, 2) = 23
Flat DC 5: 1d20 ⇒ 2

Sylva Belle |

Oh! They changed how sprites work! I had NO idea I could fly for this entire game. It used to be Energize Wings granted a minute or ten minutes of flight. I was looking it up and learned Evanscent Wings give flight. So wow… flying for the first time!
_
Not complaining though. Sprites SHOULD have had flight at Lv.1, instead having to wait until Lv.17, so good move, Paizo!
After Sir Bat fire-breaths the skeletons, Sylva flies at her foe (preferably, the most damaged) like she’s never flown before!
Aerobatic Tumbling Strike: 1d20 + 21 ⇒ (6) + 21 = 27
Strike, if hit: 2d4 + 1d6 + 2d6 ⇒ (2, 1) + (3) + (6, 2) = 14
Atk: 1d20 + 19 ⇒ (9) + 19 = 28
2nd Strike: 2d4 + 1d6 + 2d6 ⇒ (1, 4) + (4) + (4, 5) = 18
Instead of striking again, Sylva flies up, well outta melee reach!

DM Brainiac |

Reflex: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (1) + 16 = 171d20 + 16 ⇒ (12) + 16 = 28
One of the skeletons avoids Batman's fire breath while the other is badly burned! Sylva tumbles behind the more damaged one to deliver two powerful kicks before flying out of reach!
Unable to get to Sylva, the monsters focus their wrath on Batman instead!
Jaws: 1d20 + 20 ⇒ (2) + 20 = 221d20 + 16 ⇒ (10) + 16 = 261d20 + 12 ⇒ (3) + 12 = 15
Jaws: 1d20 + 20 ⇒ (6) + 20 = 261d20 + 16 ⇒ (17) + 16 = 331d20 + 12 ⇒ (18) + 12 = 30
Damage: 2d8 + 8 ⇒ (5, 8) + 8 = 212d8 + 8 ⇒ (4, 2) + 8 = 14
36 piercing damage to Batman. He must attempt a DC 26 Will save against Wrathful Misfortune.
Wrathful Misfortune (arcane, curse, enchantment) A creature damaged by a guecubu must succeed at a DC 26 Will save or become cursed with consummate bad luck. The creature becomes clumsy 2. Each time that creature rolls initiative, on their next roll they must roll twice and use the worse result; this is a misfortune effect.

Sylva Belle |

Sylva waits for Sir Bat.
If he attacks with melee, she’ll fly to flank position!
If he breathes fire again, she’ll do two attacks and fly up.
Tumble Srike: 1d20 + 21 ⇒ (13) + 21 = 34
Damage?: 2d4 + 6 + 2d6 ⇒ (2, 2) + 6 + (1, 2) = 13
Attacks: 1d20 + 19 ⇒ (15) + 19 = 34
Damage?: 2d4 + 6 + 2d6 ⇒ (4, 3) + 6 + (4, 5) = 22
If the skeleton is still standing AND Sir Bat is there with his shield, Sylva makes one more attack. But if there’s no Bat Shield or enemy to hit, she flies 15 feet overhead again.
Attacks: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (10) + 15 = 25
Damage?: 2d4 + 6 + 2d6 ⇒ (3, 2) + 6 + (1, 5) = 17