"Well now. Back to the puzzle. I guess the arrangement I did of the cartouches and panels didn't do anything. Amenopheus, care to offer any advice?"
"Why, my elven friend, I already have!" Amenopheus replies.
After a few moments, he gives it another try...
Nethy's Whole side:
Knowledge, Protection, Destruction.Nethy's Burnt Side:
Prosperity, Preservation, Death.
Amenopheus encourages the Pathfinders to try the puzzle again before offering the solution.
"To open the door, the 'destruction' and 'preservation' cartouches must be switched so that 'destruction' is on the figure’s burnt side, and 'preservation' is on Nethys’s healthy-looking, whole side."
Once the secret door is open, another chamber is revealed.
Here, the rich scent of palm wine, cinnamon, and myrrh fills a magically illuminated storehouse. Each wall has deep slots filled with papyrus scrolls. A white-and-black marble altar enveloped in faint wisps of faerie fire sits squarely in the center of the room. A ladder to the south leads up to a walkway, with more shelves and a golden sarcophagus.
A quick search of this archive reveals that it contains a trove of history from the Age of Destiny that the Jeweled Sages managed to preserve through the decline of the pharaohs and the purges directed against them.
The chest on the walkway contains five bottles of holy water, a stack of ancient platinum coins, five spell component pouches, and three scholar’s outfits in red, yellow, and green, cut in a style commo nmillennia ago.
The altar is consecrated to Nethys.
The sarcophagus contains a mummified corpse. A small shrine next to the sarcophagus holds coded notes in Ancient Osiriani.
The notes explain further that the sarcophagus allows a creature touching it to commune with any corpse placed inside.
Viewing the coded notes, Amenopheus concedes, "I might be able to use this information to repair my own sage jewel and the Ruby Sage’s broken gem."
He turns to the party. "The magic of the sarcophagus can be activated only once per day. Shall I activate it now? Any questions?"
"Destroy with one hand... hm..."
Merida tries the following combination:
Nethys' whole side: Prosperity, Preservation, Protection.
Nethys' burnt side: Knowledge, Death, Destruction.
Seebonickk watches Merida carefully.
Hope that works
It does. The secret door opens.
Once the secret door is open, another chamber is revealed.
The party is free to explore its contents.
Yeah. I gotta question. What's gonna happen when you do activate it?
"Not for me." Amenopheus chuckles in response. "Any questions for the mummy! Once the sarcophagus is activated, we should be able to commune with any corpse placed inside."
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There's a corpse in there?
"Yes, there is." The answer comes from the visage on the lid, which speaks rather than the corpse within it.
Amenopheus shakes his head. "I guess the magic is more easy to activate than I had initially thought."
I wonder how long it would take me to escape if I was wrapped head to toe in bandages?
Amenopheus looks at that sarcophagus in anticipation, then with relief.
"Fortunately, it interpreted that as a statement, rather than a question." He notes. "The magic is limited, after all."
Perhaps we should ask it if it knows anything about the Ruby Sage...? Theron asks with a shrug as he grabs a pair of the holy water vials.
"You are welcome to inquire." A second answer comes from the magic sarcophagus.
Amenopheus shakes his head again. "By my estimate, we have two more questions left for today."
Corey steps toward the sarcophagus.
"What do you know about the Jeweled Sages?"
Corey asks.
"Established during the rule of the Song Pharoah, the Jeweled Sages are an order of scholars who have taken an oath to preserve the culture and arts of Osirion. They have assumed the task of compiling the nation's history and cataloguing its treasures to preserve it for future generations. Heedful that the nation may be falling into decline following the Song Pharoah's passing, this cabal of scholars has vowed to record every detail possible regarding the nation’s cultural, artistic, and technological achievements. The order stores its findings within magical gemstones, known as sage jewels, as the artifacts are understood to be quite durable." The sarcophagus explains.
"I would seem that this court librarian can answer questions about Osirian history only through the life of the Song Pharaoh." Amenopheus concludes. "That does gives us an indication as to the date of his death."
Resting on the table near the remains of the Topaz Sage is a pair of spellguard bracers.
"If there are no more questions for the court librarian, then I shall prepare to teleport you all back to Eto to resupply before you make the trek south to the Pillars of the Sun." Amenopheus declares.
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*nods* Good idea ... Could really use some Endure Element potions ... or a wand of same. But, if Sellana is free, there's treasure at the bottom of the pool for the taking. I'm gonna go for another swim.
"I can't think of any other questions. Does anyone else have a good one?"
"I could use a nice swim also. It sure is hot in here. And I'm excited to see what sort of loot is in there for the taking."
"I can't think of any other questions. Does anyone else have a good one?"
"Doubtful." The sarcophagus answers before it goes dark, its magic spent for the day.
With the thief Kafar headed to the Pillars of the Sun, Amenopheus teleports the party back to Eto to resupply before they make the trek to the south.
"The Pillars of the Sun is a very dangerous region of towering rocks, searing wind, and terrible beasts." Amenopheus warns.
Then, the Sapphire Sage announces, [b]"With the fate of the Jeweled Sages' order riding on your success in your journey there, let it be known that I will be accompanying you to the Sanctum of Sages!"
Please chime in within your thoughts on a start time for Part 3 in the Discussion thread.
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Before they left.
Come on Amenopheus. Strip off those robes and come in too. Even a Jeweled Sage must be allowed to have fun.
Amenopheus stares at the pool and its inhabitants, clearly giving considerable thought to the idea, before concluding, "A tempting offer, but my robes and I shall remain dry for the time being."
He then turns his attention to the inanimate objects in and around the pool. "I suspect that your elemental friend was not the only defender of the secret door. Although, now that the spirits of the sages have departed, you should be safe. And I doubt the statue would object if we were to relieve it of the +1 dragon bane scimitar that it is holding."
"Also, the wand of lesser restoration sitting at the bottom of the pool likely only has a few charges left. Its magic would seem to have been leaking out slowly, keeping the water and guardian elemental untouched by the Emerald Sage’s curses." Amenopheus notes.
"Also, what appears to be a belt of mighty constitution +2 is in fact cursed," he reveals. "Most likely the result of the Emerald Sage’s magic, and instead serves as a belt of weakness."
The growing light of predawn filters in through a window of the two-story building that Amenopheus has rented in Eto. The aging Garundi man takes a seat on one of the cushions set out for this meeting. Having been transported here two nights ago, the party had an opportunity to get well-rested and make some purchases.
Amenopheus produces a sealed letter from his robe, placing it in the middle of the floor before speaking. “Good morning, Pathfinders. As you know, we have had our share of setbacks recently. Not only have the emerald and topaz gems sacred to my order slipped through our fingers, but we also faced the frustration of finding nothing but fragments of the once great ruby. Thankfully, its power is not lost entirely, and through the Ruby Sage’s blessing, it lives on in you. I am thankful that you have agreed to act on her behalf and see this through to the end."
“As we speak, the scoundrels who seized the two gems cross the Pillars of the Sun to meet their employer, the cryptic Diamond Sage.” He sighs heavily. “What she intends to do with the gems is a mystery, but the sage jewels are too important for me to take risks with. If the power that you wield is representative of a shattered jewel’s potential, imagine what one might accomplish with three undamaged stones! Until we know what her plans are, it is paramount that we get to the jewels first."
“Kafar and Nefti have a rudimentary map of the Pillars of the Sun, and last night I found a bartender who spotted them poring over it between drinks. She recalled little of the map, and she could not make sense of the marks or annotations; however, the right spells have allowed me to probe her mind and determine Kafar and Nefti’s entry point into the mountains. We will follow them from there.” With a somewhat chagrined smile, Amenopheus adds, “It may be that they will lead us to the Sanctum of the Sages, a hidden complex I have long suspected might be in this area.”
He stands and announces, “Prepare yourselves quickly. We shall leave momentarily.”
Then, he pauses. "This arrived for you." He produces a short letter from Venture-Captain Norden Balentiir.
"Do you have any questions?" asks Amenopheus.
The PCs had several hours the previous evening to explore Eto and make inquiries.
Witnesses report seeing a rather tipsy Nefti playing the flute in various
taverns throughout Eto over the past several weeks. He hasn’t been seen
for three days.
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Corey asks local vendors at the market for any worthwhile information while he shops.
He also wonders if he knows anything about the Pillars of the Sun.
Corey tells his teammates what he knows...
A man matching Kafar’s description recently visited a local herbalist and apothecary.
A man matching Kafar’s description recently visited a local herbalist and apothecary.
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Oh, Kafar and Nefti? Actually... I saw these guys before we went to the desert... They tried to sell me some information about Aspis Consortium before they fled the city. But I was having fun in the tavern and I wasn't too interested, besides, it would have cost too much gold... Oh-oh, we were supposed to catch them, weren't we? I was in a good mood and forgot about it... you know, the feast was a success, especially the caramel scarabs and the south-garund port! And after these words, she rolls her eyes slightly and lightly licks her lips. You know what? I think they're looking for new employers. The caravan drivers also heard them complaining about the Aspids among themselves... Ashtoret taps her fingers thoughtfully. Should we kill and raise them as undead, or hire them, then kill and raise them as undead? The necromantress smiles ominously.
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So, what you're saying, is that piece of information is so important that you had to say it twice wicked grin
Oh, Kafar and Nefti? Actually... I saw these guys before we went to the desert... They tried to sell me some information about Aspis Consortium before they fled the city. But I was having fun in the tavern and I wasn't too interested, besides, it would have cost too much gold... Oh-oh, we were supposed to catch them, weren't we? I was in a good mood and forgot about it... you know, the feast was a success, especially the caramel scarabs and the south-garund port! And after these words, she rolls her eyes slightly and lightly licks her lips. You know what? I think they're looking for new employers. The caravan drivers also heard them complaining about the Aspids among themselves...
"Wow. You discovered some very useful information. We may need to take advantage of their predicament. The question is... Where do we find them? We should go speak with that herbalist. They might know something."
Ashtoret taps her fingers thoughtfully. Should we kill and raise them as undead, or hire them, then kill and raise them as undead? The necromantress smiles ominously.
"Uhh. Let's try to hire them. If they attack us, then we can kill them so you can raise them as undead."
He also wonders if he knows anything about the Pillars of the Sun.
Corey recalls that the Pillars of the Sun are an isolated range of mountains named for their tall, wind-weathered spires. The mountains begin 15 miles south of Eto, and an experienced rider might reach them in half a day. Because of its location and elevation, the region is extremely dry and hot during the day, with temperatures dropping drastically at night due to strong winds.
"Wow. You discovered some very useful information. We may need to take advantage of their predicament. The question is... Where do we find them? We should go speak with that herbalist. They might know something."
“I could not scry on Kafar and Nefti, and teleporting to an arbitrary point in the Pillars of the Sun would be a fool’s errand. Our best chance is to enter the mountains close to their starting point, and then follow their tracks.” Amenopheus notes.
Ashtoret taps her fingers thoughtfully. Should we kill and raise them as undead, or hire them, then kill and raise them as undead? The necromantress smiles ominously.
"The sage jewels should be our primary concern." Amenopheus replies.
Once the party has prepared to leave Eto, Amenopheus, the Sapphire Sage, teleports the group to the northern edge of the Pillars of the Sun. The terrain of this desert mountain range is rocky and arid, cut by profound chasms and colossal precipices. Getting lost is as easy as it is deadly, as a few wrong turns can throw explorers completely off track—or worse, off a cliff—trapping them between the scorching noon sun and the freezing night winds.
The harsh environment alone is enough to keep most adventurers away, and the beasts that live in the mountains only magnify the danger of this inhospitable place.
Just as the sun is peaking over the horizon, Amenopheus and the party find a path Kafar and Nefti, which the Sapphire Sage concludes the duo used to enter the mountains.
Temperatures continue to rise all through the morning, and after four hours of travel, the group reaches a place where the winding path through the spires splits.
"Based upon the tracks, it would appear that Kafar and Nefti split up and traveled in separate directions." Amenopheus concludes. "Without knowing which of the two thieves has the sage jewels or whether the jewels, too, have been split up, I think it best that we, too, split up."
"I will head in this direction, following this set of tracks." The Sapphire Sage indicates. "The rest of you in the party will head in that direction."
"I will remain in contact with you," Amenopheus assures, before he departs.
as you head in the direction indicated, the path leads to a series of switchbacks that ascend the steep side of a gorge. By now, the Osirion sun has increased in intensity.
Approximately one hour after Amenopheus’s departure, the party reaches an immense cliff where the tracks simply end.
Any tracks currently prove elusive. However, Corey locates a crevice in the rock face, which leads to a trap door that descends deep underground.
The crevice, trap door, and several chambers are quite narrow.
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"Well met, Sir Hilltopple. Corenthiir Ruaelos, Grand Lodge representative. And don't worry — I'll make sure whatever happens today sounds much more heroic in the official records."
Corey assists in trying to find any footprints of their quarry.
"Like I said — much more heroic." he says with a smirk.