Mouth bloodied from nearly tearing out the monk’s throat the transformed Turiik looks to Meadow long enough to growl, ”Stop calling me by the weakling’s name!” Thurston knocks the woman out during his moment of distraction. ”Bah! That one was mine!”
He turns hungrily toward the remaining monk, which Jayma managed to calm in the intervening moments. Without a threat, Turiik emerges and his body transforms back. He wobbles a bit on his feet. Once he’s steadied himself he looks down at Xiomena at his feet. Face paling, Turiik reaches to his mouth. He seems nauseous when his fingers come away bloody. ”Oh no.”
When the other monks asks for help, he staggers backwards away from them.
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Jayma smiles warmly at the monk when her spell works its magic on Abidaro. "Yes, Abidaro. You can trust us. We were sent here by Edibaro to help. You needn't worry about Xiomena; she'll be fine. Our doctor will take care of her." She turns to see that Thurston is already hard at work. "See? She's back to her old self again... well, almost." She turns to pin Turiik with a piercing pull-yourself-together-man™ look. "I'm sure that Turiik here will take care of whatever damage remains. The least he can do under the circumstances... don't you agree, Turiik?"
Tarcog and Amvolwatt come in just as Dr. Lazarus is treating the fallen monk.
Listening in, he comments “Yes, everyone is a little on edge. Sorry about that.”
“Abidaro, did you get affected by something like music as well? Leaves a lingering feeling with you that feels alien?”
Mouth bloodied from nearly tearing out the monk’s throat the transformed Turiik looks to Meadow long enough to growl, ”Stop calling me by the weakling’s name!” Thurston knocks the woman out during his moment of distraction. ”Bah! That one was mine!”
He turns hungrily toward the remaining monk, which Jayma managed to calm in the intervening moments. Without a threat, Turiik emerges and his body transforms back. He wobbles a bit on his feet. Once he’s steadied himself he looks down at Xiomena at his feet. Face paling, Turiik reaches to his mouth. He seems nauseous when his fingers come away bloody. ”Oh no.”
When the other monks asks for help, he staggers backwards away from them.
Meadow's jaw drops as she stares at Turiik. Keeping her eyes trained on the barbarian, she leans over and whispers to to Silence while twirling her finger around her ear. "Turiik is acting kinda goofy. Did he get hit on the head or something?"
Silence preens his feathers.
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Turiik looks away from Jayma's sheepishly. "I'll do what I can," he murmurs and opens his satchel with one hand. With the other hand he furiously wipes at the blood around his mouth.
As Turiik and Dr. Lazarus offer medical care to Xiomena, Abidaro eyes open wide at Tarcog's mention of the music. "The music... yes! It keeps playing over and over, sometimes in my head, but more often in my spine. It just repeats and then shifts away for a while and then repeats again and it never resolves." Abidaro's hands shake, and he says, "I think the sound got to me. If you were a bunch of harmless rabbits or kittens, we would have still attacked. We were just so wound up!"
As Xiomena revives, she whispers, "Abi, tell them about the seal. Tell them about the key."
"Oh! Right! We sealed off the area when the bulette attacked. If you have this key and the other one, you should be able to get through the seal."
“Other key?” Tarcog says. “We were told that the area was sealed, but I don’t recall any mention of needing keys to get past the seal.”
The key that Abidaro holds up is a small glowing diamond-shaped piece of cold iron. "It's one of the foci that we used to set the ritual." Abidaro points to open books on the library tables, still open to the pages on the sealing ritual.
Xiomena says, "The other foci should be with the monks that we left in the dormitory. We were supposed to all keep watch to keep the Bulette from coming through, but Tono and Dai said they were exhausted, and we thought we'd see if there was a way to reinforce the seal here in the library. But then I felt myself growing edgier and edgier."
"Maybe we should, um, check the remains of our charred guides," Turiik suggests meekly with a hard swallow. "Or not?"
The charred guides have no discernable foci on them. On seeing the charred bodies, Abi nervously dissipates into roiling smoke and ash before reforming. Each time, you can hear a faint chiming noise as he reforms. Shaking, he points at the bodies. "Why don't they reform like I do?"
“Tono and Dai? That wasn’t the names of the people who escorted us down. Where is this dormatory?”
The charred guides have no discernable foci on them. On seeing the charred bodies, Abi nervously dissipates into roiling smoke and ash before reforming. Each time, you can hear a faint chiming noise as he reforms. Shaking, he points at the bodies. "Why don't they reform like I do?"
Meadow's lower lip trembles a bit and she appears to be about to cry again. She manages to maintain her composure and in a quivering voice she answers. "They can't reform Adibaro. They're dead. I'm so sorry."
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With Xiomena out of mortal danger for the moment, Dr. Lazarus moves to the table to study the ritual books. When he sees Abidaro dissipate into smoke and reform, the Doctor is very curious, rubs his chin, and responds, "Fascinating ... perhaps you're better able to control your new gift than those other chaps."
At this point, Lazarus realizes he's in a wondrous library! While the group is asking about the location of the dorm and the other monks, the Doctor takes the opportunity to grab a random book off a shelf. He then sits down at a nearby table and begins reading.
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With Xiomena and Abidaro now cooperating, Jayma turns her attention to obtaining the second foci so that they can get through the seal. Pointing past the tombs at the doors on the other side, she asks, "Is that the dormitory across the way there? Maybe we should go check on Tono and Dai. I have a bad feeling that they've also have been affected by the strange vibrations down here. I hope it's not too late to help them." She makes no further motion in that direction except to step aside from the doorway to let her able defenders to lead the way.
Abi nods slowly when you tell him his colleagues are dead, and then reaches out a hand to Meadow. "Will you grieve with me and pray? I... would like to give them last rites, with someone else who grieves for them."
The library is a fascinating collection -- one clearly assembled by a bunch of different reader interests and a few books left by travelers rather than a curated collection. Still, there are travel memoirs from all over Arcadia, books of magic, books on practical subjects like carpentry, animal husbandry and gardening, and a number of torrid adventure novels.
When you go across the way to the dormitory , you see a plain chamber contains multiple beds along the southern wall, all neatly made except for two. The occupants are covered in sweat, and do not respond when you try to shake them awake.
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When the group is ready to explore the dorms, Dr. Lazarus reluctantly leaves the library, after replacing the book in the stacks.
When he sees the two monks unresponsive, he gasps, "Oh dear ... Doctor coming through." The forensics professor pushes his way to the front and quickly assesses the situation.
He shares with his colleagues anything he learns.
Meadow hesitantly takes Abi's hand and assists in performing last rites on the fallen monks. She is clearly out of her element and follows his lead. She does take the initiative to utter a quick plea to the Lantern King, begging him to refrain from playing any tricks on them as their souls travel to their final destination.
Dr. Lazarus realizes swiftly that these monks are in a coma because part of their souls (perhaps the khaibit that Tess referred to earlier?) are astral travelling. Ending the magical disruption occurring in this monastery would it possible for these lost souls to return, though you might need to still do something later to call them back.
Xiomena joins Meadow and Abi in performing last rites. The rites are simple, recalling each of the monk's names, naming something special about each one, and then calling them to Yllado's attention.
When the rites are done, Silence hops to Meadow and drops a translucent glowing disk that he found under Tono's bed into Meadow's lap.
Tarcog looks through the books, organizing them a little better as he goes through them. He does spend a little time skimming the carpentry book.
When the group heads towards the dormitory, he arranges a couple more books and then follows.
“Looks like they are just now going through the change. I wonder if playing some music would help them find their way through it? Must be some way to help with this.”
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When she doesn't hear the sounds of combat coming from the dormitory after the others enter, she pokes her head in to see what's going on. She notices Thurston treating the unresponsive monks with little success. She's about to suggest that they look for the other focus, but spots Silence flying back to Meadow with it in his talons. "Aren't you the clever owl. Good work Silence."
When Thurston shares what he's discovered about the comatose monks, Jayma says, "Sounds like the best thing we can do for them is to disable the source of this strange magical emanation we're all feeling. Now that we have the two foci, maybe Xiomena and Abidaro can get us through the sealed entrance."
"What have you found, Silence?"
Meadow examines the object carefully, turning it over and over several times.
"Well it doesn't look like the other one but you might be right." Meadow turns to Dr. Lazarus and holds up the disk. "What do you think Professor? Is this the second foci?"
Silence flaps his wings and hoots softly.
Meadow scratches the owl on the head.
Abidaro nods. "That's the second foci!" He hesitates. "With as uncontrolled as I am, I'm not sure that I should go with you. Is it alright if I stay back with Xiomena and the others?"
Abi takes the two foci and raises them up, and then hands one each to Meadow and Lazarus. "Raise them high, and say these words to go through the barrier. Imagine whom you are taking with you, and keep them in your mind."
Spirit of Yllado
Whose steps we follow
Grant us the wisdom to see
Spirit of Yllado
Whose steps we follow
Guide us through obscurity
We are the storm-tossed
We are the seekers and the lost
We are the truth not the glossed
We are those that seek to cross
“It should be fine if you stay here.”
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When Meadow asks Dr. Lazarus about the 2nd foci, the know-it-all forensics professor is about to admit, extremely reluctantly, that he's not entirely sure. But when Abidaro confirms it, the Doctor quickly agrees. "Elementary! Of course the good lad is correct. This could only be the missing foci. Notice how it glows translucently..." He tries to sound important as he describes what is plainly seen by all.
After accepting the foci from the monk, Lazarus prepares with Meadow near the sealed door, and recites the ritual when the group is ready.
Turiik idles out of the way of the door while the others prepare to unleash it. He alternates between looking toward the others and looking at his blood stained hand.
When Meadow asks Dr. Lazarus about the 2nd foci, the know-it-all forensics professor is about to admit, extremely reluctantly, that he's not entirely sure. But when Abidaro confirms it, the Doctor quickly agrees. "Elementary! Of course the good lad is correct. This could only be the missing foci. Notice how it glows translucently..." He tries to sound important as he describes what is plainly seen by all.
Meadow eyes Dr. Lazarus suspiciously and nods slowly. "I see..." She leans in and whispers to Silence. "He's an even worse liar than I am."
She steps up and prepares to perform the opening ritual.
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As Jayma waits with Turiik for the door ritual to proceed, she notices the Erutaki looking at his stained hand repeatedly. His face and chest were also covered with congealing blood, as if he'd just finished a shift in an abattoir. She leans over. "I could help you clean that up if you wish. It is a simple spell. I use it on myself all the time."
She says the words "emundare barbaro" and snaps her fingers.
The blood disappears from him along with any other dirt he's picked up recently. She even tried to fix up his disheveled hair, but with mixed results; apparently there are limits even to her magic.
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As Jayma helps make Turiik presentable, Dr. Lazarus encourages the little gnome, "That's our Jayma! Tidying up Golarian, one pathfinder at a time." He always marvels at her efficiency.
When Meadow is ready to recite the ritual, Lazarus suggests, "Perhaps dear lady, we alternate the first 2 verses, and we chant the final verse in unison?" If she agrees, he holds up his foci high in the air with one hand (gripping his hammer with the other), forms an image of his capable allies in his mind, and chants loudly:
"Spirit of Yllado
Whose steps we follow
Grant us the wisdom to see"
After waiting for Meadow to chant the 2nd verse, the two continue together:
"We are the storm-tossed
We are the seekers and the lost
We are the truth not the glossed
We are those that seek to cross"
The investigator then stands ready for whatever excitement happens next...
Lazarus suggests, "Perhaps dear lady, we alternate the first 2 verses, and we chant the final verse in unison?"
Tarcog looks towards Abidaro and asks “Will that work?”
Just before they start the ritual, he says “Don’t forget about us!”
"Thank you," Turiik murmurs when the gnome offers to clean the blood from his clothes. If only the soul could be cleaned so simply.
As Jayma helps make Turiik presentable, Dr. Lazarus encourages the little gnome, "That's our Jayma! Tidying up Golarian, one pathfinder at a time." He always marvels at her efficiency.
When Meadow is ready to recite the ritual, Lazarus suggests, "Perhaps dear lady, we alternate the first 2 verses, and we chant the final verse in unison?" If she agrees, he holds up his foci high in the air with one hand (gripping his hammer with the other), forms an image of his capable allies in his mind, and chants loudly:
"Spirit of Yllado
Whose steps we follow
Grant us the wisdom to see"After waiting for Meadow to chant the 2nd verse, the two continue together:
"We are the storm-tossed
We are the seekers and the lost
We are the truth not the glossed
We are those that seek to cross"The investigator then stands ready for whatever excitement happens next...
Meadow hesitates. "Are you sure we shouldn't speak simultaneously? Well okay is you say so." She shrugs and agrees to Dr. Lazarus plan. She steps up to the door and works with the investigator to complete her portion of the tandem ritual.
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Jayma smiles at the results of her little spell and dips her head when Turiik thanks her. "It was my pleasure, dear Turiik." "Entirely my pleasure. The smell of that congealing blood was starting to get to me.". She tut-tuts a little at her inability to do much with Turiik's unruly black mop. "Nevermind. Given his 'condition', I expect all my hard work will soon be for naught anyway."
She watches with interest as Thurston goes through the ritual and after a polite clap at the end ("Nice ditty, Doctor"), she stands waiting for something to happen. Each passing second seems like a day in the anticipation of what they'll find on the other side of the doors. Finally, her admittedly limited patience cracks. "Are you quite sure did that right, Doctor? Will the doors open on their own? Maybe you should push on them to see if they'll move now."
Meadow and Dr. Lazarus speak the ritual together. Just as Jayma expresses her skepticism, the doors turn to mist for you and your party and you walk right through them. Once you are all through, they solidify behind you. This large hallway connects to other chambers in the area. The eastern hall has collapsed and is blocked by rubble. Two characters could work together to clear out the rubble, but that would take hours.
Just as you look around, starting to gain your bearings, there is a clicking noise and a beetle emerges. Only it's not a full beetle, but merely its hollowed-out exoskeleton and carapace --coming for you.
★ ---- ★ ---- ★ ---- ★
★ ---- ★ ---- ★ ---- ★
Tarcog
Meadow
Dr Lazarus
Pink
Jayma
Turiik
Amvolwatt takes a deep breath and then releases a bolt of electricity from their mouth at the weird battle.
As Amvolwatt is attempting to electrocute the creature, Tarcog moves over to the side of the room.
Then Tarcog creates a mystic shield to protect himself.
The Pink hollowed out beetle is having a good day, and only takes half of that electricity damage, and then the carapace also resists part of the electrical damage. Apparently, it's not impressed with dragons. It squiggles its hollow mandibles to show how awesome it is.
★ ---- ★ ---- ★ ---- ★
Tarcog + Amvolwatt
Meadow
Dr Lazarus
Pink (-4)
Jayma
Turiik
“Spry creature, avoiding the lightning like that.”
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“I bet it will give a very satisfying crunch when I slam it with my tail.”
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As the door melts away, Dr. Lazarus gives a satisfied look to the doubting Jayma. "You needn't worry my dear lady. Meadow and I were quite confident." Those nearby can see that Dr. Lazarus was as surprised as anyone that it worked.
Upon entering the large room, the Doctor freezes in place when he hears the ominous clicking. Seeing the beetle, he muses, "Good thing there aren't four of them ... or I'd feel an urge to break into song." He studies the creature.
After enlightening the group with a brief dissertation on such creatures, Lazarus takes advantage of a gaping hole in the beetle's defenses. He flings his hammer twice in succession.
+1 Striking Returning Cold Iron Grabthar's Hammer (w/ Stratagem): 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (17) + 16 = 33
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Dr. Lazarus does not recall much about these creatures other than that they are Beetle Carapaces, the insectoid version of a skeletal (technically, exo-skeletal) undead. They are large, mindless, and have the traditional immunities and resistances one would expect from a skeleton. For those that do melee, bludgeoning attacks are best.
★ ---- ★ ---- ★ ---- ★
Then Dr. Lazarus strikes two mighty blows, appropriately enough, with bludgeoning weapon.
Although the strikes fail to bring down the beetle carapace, Dr. Lazarus can confirm to Amvolwatt that the beetles are indeed crunchy, as he pokes a very satisfying hole in this one.
★ ---- ★ ---- ★ ---- ★
Tarcog + Amvolwatt
Meadow
Dr Lazarus
Pink (-47)
Jayma
Turiik
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It squiggles its hollow mandibles to show how awesome it is.
Meadow makes a face. "Eeeewww! Gross! It's squiggling! I hate it when they squiggle."
The young archer studies the creature for a moment before drawing her bow and firing.
extra damage on the first hit.
Meadow fires three shots in succession, but only the first one hits, and that arrow does not do as much damage as expected.
★ ---- ★ ---- ★ ---- ★
It's Beetle time!
With a click, click, click... Pink scurries to Dr. Lazarus, Turiik and Amvolwatt, and squiggles its mandibles once more as it decides which one of you is the tastiest.
Pink realizes that Dragons don't just have great taste, but also taste great!
Unfortunately, Pink is mindless, and clicked its mandibles just over Amvowatt's head. Undaunted, Pink turns towards a taller target, Turiik.
Crunch!
Turiik is bitten, but not grabbed as Pink does not have enough actions to follow through with a grapple.
Then Green makes its way through the rubble and scurries towards Tarcog. Did I mention that dragons are yummy? As it had to burrow a long ways to get here, it only has enough actions for one attack.
Click click click
Crunch!
★ ---- ★ ---- ★ ---- ★
Tarcog + Amvolwatt (-16)
Meadow
Dr Lazarus
Pink (-54)
Green
Jayma
Turiik (-18)
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Jayma makes sure to get close enough to cast spells while at the same time keeping a phalanx of defenders between her and the beetles. She listens to Thurston's dissertation on the creatures, but he merely confirms what she suspected; these were undead of the skeletal variety with resistances to match.
"Better stick to the old tried and true, I suppose." With a "scutum magicae," she raises her magical pink shield. Jayma then eyes a nearby piece of rubble; saying, "boulder beats big bad beetle," she flips a practiced wrist and sends it flying at the nearest creature.
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As the newest beetle joins the party, Dr. Lazarus laments, "Alas, dear colleagues, it seems like it was just yesterday, when all our troubles seemed so far away." As the beetles come together, Lazarus waits for his colleagues to attack the near enemy. He then surveys the battlefield.
After sharing any vital new information, the Doctor throws his mighty hammer at the further enemy .
+1 Striking Returning Cold Iron Grabthar's Hammer (w/ Stratagem) vs Green/Pink: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (11) + 16 = 27
"There's another one. Go get it before it squiggles Silence!" Meadow picks her next target.
With a piercing battle cry the owl launches himself at his foe.
extra damage on the first hit.