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"There is an ancient order of scholars in Osirion called the Jeweled Sages. They record the history and knowledge of old and pass it down by storing their memories in the Sage Jewels, ensuring that this wisdom lives on through generations of sages. Many things have happened in the past five thousand years, but for now, the order has been revived, and they are searching for their missing sages."
Elu explains, "Elu and the others are Pathfinders from the Pathfinder Society. We record and protect knowledge, culture, and people alike throughout the Inner Sea and beyond. On top of that, we are good friends with the Jeweled Sages, which led us here when the sages detected one of the Sage Jewels in this place. We want to retrieve the missing Sage Jewel so that the knowledge within can be properly recorded and passed on, rather than being buried under the sand."
"So, if you would allow us to pass, that will be hugely appreciated."
The siblings give each other worried looks after Elu's story. Ardashir speaks first. "Five Thousand years, you say? Our ancestors found this place over five thousand years ago. They noticed a corrupting influence within and deemed it necessary to keep intruders out so that the evil may not escape or grow. Foolish adventurers and tomb robbers dying in the temple would only feed it."
Anahita chimes in. "According to our ancestors, someone or something entered the place without permission around that time. Whoever or whatever it was, it hasn’t come out. We fear the corruption within the ruins has since grown."
"You may be able to help cleanse the evil from this site, or better contain or understand it. You may enter. We have a key to the door that has been passed down through the generations that you may use." She produces a key and hands it to Elu.
"The stairs are over here, when you are ready." She points up a staircase around the side of one of the two pillars.
"There is a large room with a huge statue inside. I do not no more; we do not enter, but each generation checks to make sure the key still works and has not become damaged with the passage of time."
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"A statue, you say?" Elu raises her eyebrow as her Pathfinder experience/instinct kicks in, "Elu knows that everything inside carry some sort of historic or cultural significance. But let's say if the statue suddenly animates and attack Elu, does Elu get to self-defense? It might cause some damage to said statue in the process..."
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AS this happens he pulls out a wand of Shield and puts the shield on himself
It has happened more than once even to people more experience that us Elu miss, And it would be unfortunate, but archeology has its price, sometimes for learning more one needs to be ready to destroy, although if it could be avoided....
He revises the goblin launcher attached to one of the bombs just in case
"If the statue comes to life, I would expect you to defend yourselves. Or run, its a big statue."
Stairs cut into the canyon wall ascend to a sturdy bronze door. Nearby there are a number of cracked and broken vases, severely damaged with time and their contents long since gone.
Elu checks the door for traps, and finding none, is able to open the door with the key. Inside, a steep stone staircase rises towards a central chamber.
Carvings on the stone walls of this staircase depict groups of humans huddled together, cowering from some unseen menace. Their faces look up toward the sky with despair evident in their eyes.