If the priests notice Grunjar speaking, they show no signs of it.
DC 15 Heal:
Checking on the four seated figures, you realize they are not meditating at all, but appear to be to be comatose. Each of them appears to be suffering from enough Wisdom drain to incapacitate them.
Male Ratfolk N UC Rogue 10 - Init +9, Senses: Trap Spotter (Ex), Darkvision, Perception +22 (+27 vs. traps/invisibles), AC 33/ touch 20/ ff 33; CMD 22; hp 63/63; F+6, R+17, W+9, Speed 60 ft., Climb 40 ft.; Buffs*: protection from evil, vanish, camouflage blanket, shield, haste, heroism, antitoxin/plague, armor ointment.
Grandmaster TOZ wrote:
"I shall watch over the master and the others." the paladin offers as the party settles on the next course of action. The key easily fits the lock, allowing you to open the double doors.
GM:
Once around the corner, Skivven turns invisible and rushes back to the library for a certain map... which he carefully folds into his Pathfinder Pouch. stealth, H, hustle, invis:1d20 + 30 + 2 - 5 + 20 ⇒ (3) + 30 + 2 - 5 + 20 = 50
NG f human Spiritualist 10| HP 73/73 | AC 20 (+2 Klaus), t14, ff16 (+1 vs. crits) | F +11, R +10, W +15 (+2 Klaus adjac.) | Perc. +16 | Stealth +12 | Init +7 | speed 30' | CMB +7, CMD 21 | +19 concentration | Faction missions | Active Conditions: fly, shield +4 AC
Heal:1d20 + 10 ⇒ (4) + 10 = 14
"Shall we go in and talk to them?"
Inga steps in and politely, yet nervously, addresses the priests.
"Umm... Hello. Sorry to interrupt, but, we'd just like to speak with you for a moment."
The priests do not move, not even opening their eyes.
Inga:
You don't see anything religious about the ships figurehead, but it definitely looks like the description you had heard of The Glorious Reaper. The rest of the pillar also does not match any Iroran practice you have heard of.
#06-97 Siege of Serpents Male CG Dwarf Cleric 8 | HP 59/59 | AC 25 T 11 FF 25 | CMB +7, CMD 18 | F: +10, R: +4, W: +16 (+2 vs. Poison/Spells/SLAs, +2 vs. charm/comp.) | Init +6 | Heal +12, Perc +18 darkv. 60' (Stonecunning: +2 extra), SM: +12 | Speed 30ft | Lucky Number: 4
Grunjar checks the four seated figures
Heal, guidance:1d20 + 10 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 10 + 1 = 17
"Hmmm... uh-oh! They are not meditating at all, but appear to be to be comatose! Someone - or something - took away all common sense from them. Be careful, everyone!"
Each of them appears to be suffering from enough Wisdom drain to incapacitate them.
Grunjar looks (and listens!) very carefully, if there is someone or something hidden, possible invisible.
Grunjar also notices that the four appear malnourished, their dirty robes giving the impression of poor vagabonds rather than temple priests. Nothing else about the room seems out of place, besides the pillar of wood. The many protrusions attached to it look to make it easy to climb. DC5
The paladin comes to the door and looks in. "Are they not meditating? They are indeed the priests that tend this temple. Isa returned from a trip not long ago, but they have all been to the mainland recently."
Female Human Fighter (9) Init +2 HP 103/103 AC 24 T 12 FF 22 Fort +10 Ref +6 Will +6 Per +10 Move 30 CLW Wand 21/50
Quote:
Someone - or something - took away all common sense from them.
Too much beer usually does that, but I've seen enough people drunk to know that's not the case here. What kind of creature can rob a man's common sense? Probably something incorporeal too, they don't look bruised , am I right?
NG f human Spiritualist 10| HP 73/73 | AC 20 (+2 Klaus), t14, ff16 (+1 vs. crits) | F +11, R +10, W +15 (+2 Klaus adjac.) | Perc. +16 | Stealth +12 | Init +7 | speed 30' | CMB +7, CMD 21 | +19 concentration | Faction missions | Active Conditions: fly, shield +4 AC
Inga takes note of the ship's figurehead.
"A-ha. So the ship did wreck. How unfortunate."
Inga nods in agreement with Daedin, muttering a soft "Mmm-hmm, most likely."
She turns to her teammates.
"Let's climb up that tree sculpture and find that third piece of the manuscript. With all of the scrolls up there, there might be some scrolls of restoration we can use on these priests."
"I'd like to get closer and cast detect magic on those scrolls first to see if any of them actually contain magical writing."
How big & heavy is that figurehead? My faction mission states I need to bring back proof of the ship's demise. Jeeves, my porter, can carry up to 300 pounds. The wheels of his little wagon dig into the ground and slows him down, though, when it's that heavy of a load.
Casting detect magic, you determine a number of magical auras around the pillar. One aura is on the chain around the head of one priest, a metal cage resting on his brow. The others appear to be scattered among the heights of the pillar, although the range of the spell cannot reach the uppermost sections.
Jeeves thinks he will have no trouble carting it back to the ship, once it is separated from the pillar. Examining the pillar shows that each item seems to grow naturally out of the wood, not hung or affixed to it, requiring some work to cut it free without magic.
#06-97 Siege of Serpents Male CG Dwarf Cleric 8 | HP 59/59 | AC 25 T 11 FF 25 | CMB +7, CMD 18 | F: +10, R: +4, W: +16 (+2 vs. Poison/Spells/SLAs, +2 vs. charm/comp.) | Init +6 | Heal +12, Perc +18 darkv. 60' (Stonecunning: +2 extra), SM: +12 | Speed 30ft | Lucky Number: 4
Grunjar also scans for magic auras. When he sees that the pillar emanates several of them, he asks his teammates to wait, then asks the paladin for a favor.
"Pradnyara, may we borrow your expertise in detecting evil? If you could take a look at this pillar, that would be great, thank you."
Grunjar easily recognizes the divination aura of a phylactery of faithfulness. However, it appears to be slightly off from normal, the reason becoming quickly apparent as he looks closer and sees that the scripture usually stored inside has been removed, preventing it from fully functioning.
The paladin focuses herself, staring intently at the pillar. "I detect no evil here. Do you believe something has tainted this temple?"
Grunjar and Inga detect three other auras on the tree.
NG f human Spiritualist 10| HP 73/73 | AC 20 (+2 Klaus), t14, ff16 (+1 vs. crits) | F +11, R +10, W +15 (+2 Klaus adjac.) | Perc. +16 | Stealth +12 | Init +7 | speed 30' | CMB +7, CMD 21 | +19 concentration | Faction missions | Active Conditions: fly, shield +4 AC
After casting guidance on herself, Inga attempts to identify the auras and properties of the items on the tree.
Know: Arcana:1d20 + 7 + 1 ⇒ (9) + 7 + 1 = 17 Spellcraft:1d20 + 10 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 10 + 1 = 18
Inga realizes the first aura is the other piece of the phylactery, spotting it stuck to the wood some twenty feet up. A scroll appears to be stuck about forty feet high as well, the school escaping her understanding but likely easy enough to decipher once she can read it. At the very edge of her detection field is a shortbow, melded with the pillar, that is clearly enhanced as a magic weapon, but what type is uncertain.
#06-97 Siege of Serpents Male CG Dwarf Cleric 8 | HP 59/59 | AC 25 T 11 FF 25 | CMB +7, CMD 18 | F: +10, R: +4, W: +16 (+2 vs. Poison/Spells/SLAs, +2 vs. charm/comp.) | Init +6 | Heal +12, Perc +18 darkv. 60' (Stonecunning: +2 extra), SM: +12 | Speed 30ft | Lucky Number: 4
"This phylactery is missing a part: the scripture.", Grunjar states, then answers the paladin: "Pra... Prad... uh, what I wanted to say: I don't know - yet. Something is definitely off."
The cleric tries his luck on the scroll and bow, too.
NG f human Spiritualist 10| HP 73/73 | AC 20 (+2 Klaus), t14, ff16 (+1 vs. crits) | F +11, R +10, W +15 (+2 Klaus adjac.) | Perc. +16 | Stealth +12 | Init +7 | speed 30' | CMB +7, CMD 21 | +19 concentration | Faction missions | Active Conditions: fly, shield +4 AC
"It looks like we'll need to climb up there and work to detach the items. I need to get that figurehead down as well."
"Who's good at climbing and also good with a hammer?"
Skivven finds the pillar the easiest climb of his life, the melded wood making for a hundred rough handholds. As he passes the shortbow, he sees it buried in the pillar, the wood seemlessly flowing into the curve. Looking up, you see more scrolls stuck to the surface, including one with the familiar hieroglyphs near the ceiling.
NG f human Spiritualist 10| HP 73/73 | AC 20 (+2 Klaus), t14, ff16 (+1 vs. crits) | F +11, R +10, W +15 (+2 Klaus adjac.) | Perc. +16 | Stealth +12 | Init +7 | speed 30' | CMB +7, CMD 21 | +19 concentration | Faction missions | Active Conditions: fly, shield +4 AC
Inga watches in amazement as the little rat scurries up the tree.
"Believe me, Grunjar, I considered flying. I'm limited in my spells each day, though. Best to save the flying for combat or situations that really need it."
"I wonder how all of these items melded into the 'trunk' of this tree sculpture. It is very odd."
Is there any way to figure out how these items did meld into the big tree?
Male Ratfolk N UC Rogue 10 - Init +9, Senses: Trap Spotter (Ex), Darkvision, Perception +22 (+27 vs. traps/invisibles), AC 33/ touch 20/ ff 33; CMD 22; hp 63/63; F+6, R+17, W+9, Speed 60 ft., Climb 40 ft.; Buffs*: protection from evil, vanish, camouflage blanket, shield, haste, heroism, antitoxin/plague, armor ointment.
"Is one of you guys a druid? 'cause this 'unwooding' stuff be best done by you if you are... other than that you guys want me to start sawing things off with my tools? I think I spotted that scroll we're after, but it's melded near the top..."
NG f human Spiritualist 10| HP 73/73 | AC 20 (+2 Klaus), t14, ff16 (+1 vs. crits) | F +11, R +10, W +15 (+2 Klaus adjac.) | Perc. +16 | Stealth +12 | Init +7 | speed 30' | CMB +7, CMD 21 | +19 concentration | Faction missions | Active Conditions: fly, shield +4 AC
"A sticky resin you say?" Inga calls back to Skivven up in the tree. "Sounds like it could be sovereign glue. Let me think..."
Inga casts guidance on herself and thinks for a moment.
Know: Arcana & guidance:1d20 + 7 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 7 + 1 = 10
"Hmm. Sovereign glue, I bet."
Wouldn't we be able to detect it with a detect magic & spellcraft check? It seems we only got a chance to detect the 3 items stuck to the tree.
"I could attempt to dispel it." she says with a shrug, then turns to Grunjar.
"Any possibility you could grant me a bit of luck when I attempt the dispel?" she asks in a playfully seductive tone while batting her eyelashes at the dwarf.
NG f human Spiritualist 10| HP 73/73 | AC 20 (+2 Klaus), t14, ff16 (+1 vs. crits) | F +11, R +10, W +15 (+2 Klaus adjac.) | Perc. +16 | Stealth +12 | Init +7 | speed 30' | CMB +7, CMD 21 | +19 concentration | Faction missions | Active Conditions: fly, shield +4 AC
Daedîn wrote:
Daedîn says, ”If it’s not magical glue, I have an adamantine dagger; I assume that would cut thru just about anything…”
Daedin climbs up the pillar, moving past Skivven to reach the upper heights of the temple, close to where it meets the ceiling. He pauses before reaching the last piece of the manuscript, looking about in confusion.
Daedin:
As you near the top, a sudden scent of pine needles fills your nose, with no obvious source. Slowly, the ceiling of the temple fades, revealing a clear sky, before the upper parts of the walls fade as well, a pine forest replacing the view. Your hands no longer grasp bare wood but pine branches, the pillar now a mighty tree that towers over the peninsula. Birdsong fills the idyllic scene instead of silence.
In the distance, you see a dark wave approaching through the air, a crackling energy that fells trees and blackening the greenery in its path. An unclad feminine form stands among the trees in the path, desperation obvious as in her movements as sparks fly from a wand in her hands. With a sweeping gesture, stone and water erupt from below, severing the forest in two.
She stands among the trees. On the mainland side of the divide. For a brief moment, the land calms as the waters of the ocean rush between the severed land. Then the blighting wave crashes down, obliterating everything not protected by the gap.
You have an instant of double vision, seeing the negative energy cascading down on top of you, while also seeing it from afar. Daedin needs to roll a Will save against 110 points of negative energy.
Without warning, negative energy bursts out around Daedin, washing over him and sending him reeling against the pillar!
Party Status wrote:
Daedin (Damage: 110/55) Will save needed!
"You and I should parley." The voice comes from one of the priestesses, her eyes now open and staring about at those of you on the floor.
Daedîn tries to withstand the onslaught of the dark wave enveloping him…
Will Save:1d20 + 7 ⇒ (16) + 7 = 23
…hammered by the energy, if he’s able to hang on, he’ll adhere to the maxim that discretion is the better part of valor and start to immediately climb down…
Climb:1d20 + 11 ⇒ (19) + 11 = 30
…and if he sees another dark wave approaching, he’ll jump from the pillar and take his chances with the floor…
NG f human Spiritualist 10| HP 73/73 | AC 20 (+2 Klaus), t14, ff16 (+1 vs. crits) | F +11, R +10, W +15 (+2 Klaus adjac.) | Perc. +16 | Stealth +12 | Init +7 | speed 30' | CMB +7, CMD 21 | +19 concentration | Faction missions | Active Conditions: fly, shield +4 AC
Watching Daedin up in the tree, she wonders why he's suddenly shaking so violently.
"Everything alright up there!?" she calls out up to the rogue.
Male Ratfolk N UC Rogue 10 - Init +9, Senses: Trap Spotter (Ex), Darkvision, Perception +22 (+27 vs. traps/invisibles), AC 33/ touch 20/ ff 33; CMD 22; hp 63/63; F+6, R+17, W+9, Speed 60 ft., Climb 40 ft.; Buffs*: protection from evil, vanish, camouflage blanket, shield, haste, heroism, antitoxin/plague, armor ointment.
Upon seeing the elf getting deep fried, Skivven clambers down immediately. Once in the ground, he calls up and meekly says, "Hey Daedin .. you should come down. This is beyond our pay scale..."
Daedin fails to resist the wave of negative energy, but somehow, miraculously, remains conscious! The vision fades, the temple roof showing no further danger.
Party Status wrote:
Daedin (Damage: 90)
"Isa? Are you alright?" Pradnyara calls to the priestess, concern etched on her face.
"Isa cannot hear you. I am Jathyl, immortal protector of the forest. You interlopers trespass where you do not belong!" A sneer twists the priestess' face as her body twitches, a clear wince of pain briefly evident.
Male Ratfolk N UC Rogue 10 - Init +9, Senses: Trap Spotter (Ex), Darkvision, Perception +22 (+27 vs. traps/invisibles), AC 33/ touch 20/ ff 33; CMD 22; hp 63/63; F+6, R+17, W+9, Speed 60 ft., Climb 40 ft.; Buffs*: protection from evil, vanish, camouflage blanket, shield, haste, heroism, antitoxin/plague, armor ointment.
"Immortal Jathyl. We only need that scroll imbedded at the top of your tree, then we'll be leaving you in peace. We'd be happy to be of service however, if you require something in particular. No need to possess the good priests of this temple yes?"
”Unacceptable!” The word snaps out sharp enough to hear the woman’s teeth click together. ”It is my tree! Steal from it again, meat, and I shall destroy every build and control all flesh on this island.”
Male Ratfolk N UC Rogue 10 - Init +9, Senses: Trap Spotter (Ex), Darkvision, Perception +22 (+27 vs. traps/invisibles), AC 33/ touch 20/ ff 33; CMD 22; hp 63/63; F+6, R+17, W+9, Speed 60 ft., Climb 40 ft.; Buffs*: protection from evil, vanish, camouflage blanket, shield, haste, heroism, antitoxin/plague, armor ointment.
"Steal? I would never... however would you consider a trade? Surely there is something you would perhaps like to acquire in exchange for this scroll? You see, we work for an organization that wishes to preserve items of historical significance in a safe vault that keeps them away from thieves and other unsavory private organizations. Greed and the desire to acquire drives most mortals to make unfortunate choices which can turn them against their peers..."
NG f human Spiritualist 10| HP 73/73 | AC 20 (+2 Klaus), t14, ff16 (+1 vs. crits) | F +11, R +10, W +15 (+2 Klaus adjac.) | Perc. +16 | Stealth +12 | Init +7 | speed 30' | CMB +7, CMD 21 | +19 concentration | Faction missions | Active Conditions: fly, shield +4 AC
Inga can only suspect that something has possessed the priestess. She steps forward, her brows furrowed.
"You will leave that priestess' body now!" she snaps.
"Show yourself, spirit! Speak to us in your true form!" Intimidate:1d20 + 10 ⇒ (8) + 10 = 18
"Steal? I would never... however would you consider a trade? Surely there is something you would perhaps like to acquire in exchange for this scroll? You see, we work for an organization that wishes to preserve items of historical significance in a safe vault that keeps them away from thieves and other unsavory private organizations. Greed and the desire to acquire drives most mortals to make unfortunate choices which can turn them against their peers..."
"Your lies are pale and pathetic, thief! My eyes see all, even when you think none can spy your skulking. Your history is naught but an eye-blink to me and my tree. I will take back what you have stolen from me, meat. There is no trade for what is mine."
Inga Blücher wrote:
Inga can only suspect that something has possessed the priestess. She steps forward, her brows furrowed.
"You will leave that priestess' body now!" she snaps.
"Show yourself, spirit! Speak to us in your true form!"
The priestesses head arches back in laughter. "I will leave when you have been educated to your error, meat. I borrow this body without harm to flesh or mind. You take my flesh, you torture, you DESTROY it. My wielding of this tool does not warp it, as you do with your metal swords, your wooden bows. "
Female Human Fighter (9) Init +2 HP 103/103 AC 24 T 12 FF 22 Fort +10 Ref +6 Will +6 Per +10 Move 30 CLW Wand 21/50
Diplo:1d20 + 7 ⇒ (15) + 7 = 22
Sorry, but I must be a little dumb, that's why I'm a fighter and not a mage. Could you calmly explain in what way you were wronged, so we can see if we can find a peaceful way to amend previous mistakes? Something was taken from your tree, something very precious? Can't we plant more trees?
#06-97 Siege of Serpents Male CG Dwarf Cleric 8 | HP 59/59 | AC 25 T 11 FF 25 | CMB +7, CMD 18 | F: +10, R: +4, W: +16 (+2 vs. Poison/Spells/SLAs, +2 vs. charm/comp.) | Init +6 | Heal +12, Perc +18 darkv. 60' (Stonecunning: +2 extra), SM: +12 | Speed 30ft | Lucky Number: 4
Heal:1d20 + 11 ⇒ (13) + 11 = 24
"Deaddin! You look hurt!"Yep, still bad with names. ;-)
Grunjar immediately rushes towards the pillar to tend to the elf. The cleric listens to the speech of Jathyl and tries to make sense of it while healing up Daedin with his wand of CLW.
