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Jeeves looks slightly warily at the huge trees all around.
"This does not seem like the sort of place a gunsmith would want to be? Would they not need a forge?"
He glances upward, hoping for a glimpse of the almost forgotten sun.
"Ahh... perhaps that is what we are looking for?" he suggests, pointing out a treehouse.
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"My apologies, but I need to be able to see.", says Ahzeem while raising his left arm at shoulder length and 45 degrees above. "Great Goddess Serenade please gift your Light upon your servant." A small pale yellow "Sun" appears at his fingertips. When he lowers his hand it continues to float at the same position as he moves along. "I can provide up to 3 more for anyone who wishes."
Light:
Traditions: arcane, divine, occult, primal Range: 120 feet
Duration: until your next daily preparations
You create an orb of light that sheds bright light in a 20-foot radius (and dim light for the next 20 feet) in a color you choose. If you create the light in the same space as a willing creature, you can attach the light to the creature, causing it to float near that creature as it moves. You can Sustain the spell to move the light up to 60 feet; you can attach or detach it from a creature as part of this movement.
You can Dismiss the spell. If you Cast the Spell while you already have four light spells active, you must choose one of the existing spells to end.
Heightened (4th) The orb sheds light in a 60-foot radius (and dim light for the next 60 feet).
Ahzeem hears Percival and looks around.....
High above the forest floor and partially obscured by thick branches, a sprawling home sways with the tall trees. At least a dozen acorn-shaped huts encompass trunks at varying heights, connected by sturdy rope bridges. Each structure is surrounded by a wooden balcony and railing with odd gaps that lead into thin air. Glass globes hang from ropes strung over the bridges and huts, and hundreds of luminous insects feast on the glowing lichen contained within. More of the same insects feast on lichen growing on the tree trunks and branches, providing plenty of light for the entire home. An individual bearing remarkable resemblance to a large screech owl peers down from the entrance to one hut.
“Tsimaan, who have you brought me?” they ask, their voice gravelly and laced with displeasure.
“I’ve brought you friends, Whiirii,” Tsimaan replies with a chuckle. “Provided you don’t scare them off with your glum demeanor first.”
Whiirii’s beak makes an audible clack. “We’ll see about that. State your business, strangers.”
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Gwen squints upward at the grumpy gunsmith. "Well, it's a pleasure to meet you. Whiirii, is it? I'm Gwen." She makes a small curtsy.
"We are told you are a skilled gunsmith with deep knowledge. We have a very special weapon that we would like your help with. I think you might be very interested in seeing it. Come see what we have and then you can tell us if you're interested." She gives him a dazzling smile in the dark.
Whiirii clacks their beak again. They walk to a gap in the railing, pause, and then fall forward into empty air. They allow themself to plummet toward the ground for a few seconds before snapping their wings open and gliding gracefully to the forest floor. Dozens of glowing insects follow them down the bottom and take up residence on the tree trunks, providing bright light for the entire clearing.
The Pathfinders can get a better look now at the syrinx.
“I’m Whiirii, a gunsmith. I make, repair, and alter an assortment of guns for those who seek out my services.” Whiirii pauses and
looks the Pathfinders up and down. “Who are you, and what o you want from me?”
"I know what you have in your care, and I know how to care for it better than anyone alive. Though how a ragtag band such as yourselves - no offense, Tsimann - came into possession of one must be a tale.”
"Pathfinders. Of course. Every interesting relic ends up in your hands eventually, doesn't it?"
As the agents don't seem to have any further questions , Whiirii has a few inquiries of their own. “I don’t expect you to have all the answers. To be honest, I don’t expect you to have any answers. You have a job and you’re doing it, and when you’re done, you’ll get paid. So, why do you do this? What are your motivations, and what do you think the Pathfinder Society wants with Arcadia? What will you do when—not if, but when—one of the Society’s allies disagrees with what you’re doing, or when you’re forced to choose an outcome you don’t like? What will you do when you’re betrayed by those you trust?”
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"The gun was stolen by some Chelaxians and is now coveted by a Night Hag. We would like to have it repaired to return to its home, Niishan, near Lake Starfall. We come to you to have it repair just to return it. Isn't that somewhat honorable?"
"If any ally disagrees..." Gwen shrugs. "I would hope we could debate it, but ultimately it's the Society's responsibility. If we're unable to have it repaired, we might be forced to return it broken. That would seem disgraceful."
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"Our betters.." starts Jeeves "know much more than we do of the wider situation. Should they disagree with an ally, I am sure they would be happy to explain why. Allies won't always agree on everything, they are allies not slaves. But allies can work toward shared goals... such as the restoration of this StarGun."
Whiirii seems skeptical of Ahzeem's knowledge of star guns... or guns in general, for that matter. However, they do seem impressed by your discussion of the Pathfinder Society.
"Well... fine then. I guess I can help you. You just looking for a smith who knows how to put this right?"
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"Actually, we were considering this a bit of an audition too." Gwen gives him a smile. "Your talents would be greatly appreciated by the Society, and I think there are a number of interesting items that you could advise us on how to deal with. If you'd like, we could arrange for you to visit our Grand Lodge and see if it's suitable. There is lots in the city for someone of your talents to enjoy."
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Jeeves clears his throat. "It is not just about the putting right, but _why_ we are putting it right. You have heard about the PAthfinder Society, and likely heard stories about them being rapacious tomb looters. That is not the case here. We are aiming to return Hatahasi to its hometown, but want it to be in good condition when we do so. "
He offers a nod to Gwendolyn. "But naturally if your skill is anything like your reputation, the Society would be keen to work with you on future projects..."
"I see. Well, when this is over, I'll travel to the Grand Lodge in Absalom. Seems like the Pathfinder Society is actively trying to do good in Arcadia, and that..."
Before Whiirii can finish their statement, creatures emerge from the pathway to the north. Two are squat, mud-brown lizards that resemble scaly pit bulls with blunt, toothy snouts, while the other has thin, leathery wings, small horns, and a mischievous smile.
Round 1 - bolded may go
Maneki
Shalosar
Eladithas
Ahzeem
Gwen
Blue
Jeeves
Tsimann
Red
Green
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Ahzeem quickly moves to the side of Eladithas, and calls out, "Oh Great Goddess Sarenrae, I humbly request your Protection on my fellow devotee."
Traditions: divine, occult Cast: two-actions Range:= touch Targets: 1 willing creature Duration: 1 minute
You ward a creature against harm. The target gains a +1 status bonus to Armor Class and saving throws.
Heightened (3rd) You can choose to have the benefits also affect all your allies in a 10-foot emanation around the target.
Maneki quickly pull sout a pair of arrows and fires on the greenish drake. The first is a glancing blow, but the second hits it square in the chest.
Shalosar follows that up with a single strike from a magical chain, then forms the links into a barrier.
Eladithas conjures a set of darts, but flings them into the dirt bare yards in front of him.
Ahzeen applies a protective aura to Eladithas.
Gwen tries to convince the red drake that they are friends.
It looks up at her, the hostility draining from its eyes.
The airy creature flies around Shalosar and tries to knock Hatahasi from Ahzeem's grasp.
The cleric easily maintains his grip.
Tsimann hustles Whiirii into the forest, directing the Pathfinders t handle the attackers.
Round 1 - bolded may go
Maneki
Shalosar
Eladithas (Protection)
Ahzeem
Gwen
Blue
Jeeves
Tsimann
Red (charmed)
Green (-26 HP)
Jeeves nearly drops his drinks, but his target doesn't seem to care about the tray. it does care when it gets punched in the face, though.
The red drake moves toward Gwen and rubs against her legs. It is filthy but otherwise harmless.
The green one, however, is not harmless. It shrieks as t moves toward Shalosar and attacks with a flurry of teeth and wings.
Round 2 - bolded may go
Maneki
Shalosar (-11 HP)
Eladithas (Protection)
Ahzeem
Gwen
Blue (-8 HP)
Jeeves
Tsimann
Red (charmed)
Green (-26 HP)
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Ahzeem calls out, "Great Goddess Surendra, please hear my plea. Bathe my companion in your healing light and shield your humble servant."
HEAL:
Traditions: divine, primal
Cast: [one-action] to [three-actions]
Range: varies Targets: 1 willing living creature or 1 undead creature
You channel vital energy to heal the living or damage the undead. If the target is a willing living creature, you restore 1d8 Hit Points. If the target is undead, you deal that amount of vitality damage to it, and it gets a basic Fortitude save. The number of actions you spend when Casting this Spell determines its targets, range, area, and other parameters.
[one-action] The spell has a range of touch.
[two-actions] (concentrate) The spell has a range of 30 feet. If you're healing a living creature, increase the Hit Points restored by 8.
[three-actions] (concentrate) You disperse vital energy in a 30-foot emanation. This targets all living and undead creatures in the burst.
Heightened (+1) The amount of healing or damage increases by 1d8, and the extra healing for the 2-action version increases by 8.
SHIELD:
Traditions: arcane, divine, occult
Spell List: elemental
Cast: one-action
Duration: until the start of your next turn
You raise a magical shield of force. This counts as using the Raise a Shield action, giving you a +1 circumstance bonus to AC until the start of your next turn, but it doesn't require a hand to use.
While the spell is in effect, you can use the Shield Block reaction with your magic shield. The shield has Hardness 5. You can use the spell's reaction to reduce damage from any spell or magical effect, even if it doesn't deal physical damage. After you use Shield Block, the spell ends and you can't cast it again for 10 minutes.
Heightened (+2) The shield's Hardness increases by 5.
Maneki fires many arrows into the forest.
Shalosar misses with a chain, but protects himself.
Gwen fires electricity at the unfriendly creatures.
The blue creature falls to the ground.
Eladithas fires a pair of darts at the green drake, felling it.
Ahzeem heals Shalosar and guards himself.