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Tuesday/Thursdays - all day, as they are the 2 busiest days of my work week
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8) Let's have some fun and tell a great story together! After all, that's what we are here for.
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You begin your adventure outside Kaer Maga’s newly founded Aeon Lodge, a nondescript building off Nestus Street previously used as a hideout for thieves. The building’s facade is disguised as a thoroughly mediocre sundries shop. Pathfinder agents identify you and lead you to the back of the shop, where the teleportation circle is hidden and warded against intruders. Via the teleportation circle, you are escorted deep below the city into the Aeon Lodge proper, which is now outfitted with all the accoutrements necessary for a proper forward base. There, you meet Venture-Captain Zinthyra, an energetic sprite who flits to and fro on her insect-like wings, eager to begin the briefing.
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A ratfolk wizzard wearing a topper hat and a suit of someone who could be a showman or a circus worker enters the space. In his furry paws he holds a staff with frosty look. He wears leather armor and do move without making a lot of noise.
He pulls off his topper hat and bows to VC and others "Zazu Darksnout at your service" as he does, you may notice a pair of horns on his head
"Master of Arcane science and explorer in his heart"
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A gold and copper scaled kobold walks in, making a face at something he's eating. "Ugh, the more I eat of this, the more I dislike it. Pickle-flavored scone? Why?" He might be tall for a kobold if he didn't walk with a bit of a slouch. Large wings are folded against his back and there's clearly a power around him that is somehow comforting.
He looks at the the assembled group. "Greetings. I am Rhaegal, sometimes called simply The Dragon. I am a mighty defender of Jadirahx and the Bane of Urxehl. There is nothing a Dragon cannot accomplish."
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A blue-haired muscular woman swaggers in on two legs, a glowing katana sheathed at her hip and a smug expression on her face. She's dragging a Land-Delver's chair full of water behind her. The liquid contents of the chair slosh about as she pulls it along.
"Greetings. I am Rhaegal, sometimes called simply The Dragon. I am a mighty defender of Jadirahx and the Bane of Urxehl. There is nothing a Dragon cannot accomplish."
"Except cleaning out the animal stables without using magic!" The woman calls out in a booming voice. "Heya, Rhaegal Dragonkin. Good to see you in one piece after our last assignment together."
With a snap of her fingers, the woman's legs polymorph back into a scaled fish tail. Pulling herself into the cool water within the Land-Delver's chair, the barbarian woman finishes her introduction.
"I'm Ouliette Osprey. Barbarian, vanquisher of two Demon Lords, the woman who put Jorsal of Lauterbury in a fireman's carry. You may have heard of me." Ouliette flashes a cheeky grin thinking back to that latest memory. "Don't worry, Venture-Captain Zinthyra. My days of picking up Pathfinder Society leadership are probably over.
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"Ah, Kaer Maga! I haven't been here in ages," a old, if still spry elf reflects. "Must be two hundred years. Every bakery I visited last time is closed. No wonder they're passing off pickle scones. Can't get quality baked goods these days."
With that grumble, he introduces himself as Sideon, an "experienced" PAthfinder.
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Patrick looks over at the Zazu with a slight frown. Professor Patrick Barnard. Professor of Astronomy and Metamagic Theory ... and also a Master in the Arcane as well as the Occult
He also seems reluctant to look at the Venture Captain for some reason and when Oulette turns into a mermaid, he actually and looks away flushes with embarrassment.
Her also raises an eyebrow at the mention of 'pickle scones'. Scones with pickles on them made sense but scones flavoured with pickles? Sounded like something from the Dark Tapestry.
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"Greetings. I am Rhaegal, sometimes called simply The Dragon. I am a mighty defender of Jadirahx and the Bane of Urxehl. There is nothing a Dragon cannot accomplish.""Except cleaning out the animal stables without using magic!" The woman calls out in a booming voice.
Rhaegal looks alarmed and then laughs, coming to greet Ouliette. "But why would anyone want to do anything without Dragon magic?" He shakes his head. "Remember how it felt to be [b]bigger? Just say the word and we can try that again.
He waves to Raphaeleos as well, nodding to the healer. The power of the Dragon gives an odd reassurance that at least he's with you and not against you.
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After a brief round of introductions, Zinthyra dives headfirst into the briefing. "Hmm, what do you need to know?" she begins. "Well to start, this mission will occur in stages. You’re part of a larger expedition that will explore the site in full, but in recognition of your skill and outstanding service to the Society, you’ve been chosen to be the first to actually enter the vaults." Zinthyra pauses, giving her words a moment to sink in before squealing, "What an honor! If I weren’t a venture-captain, I’d be tempted to go with you!"
Zinthyra composes herself before continuing. "Let’s see, what else? Oh! According to my research, you’ll be entering a place called the Corridor, the proverbial threshold of the vaults and where Lesolethe, the wizard who first discovered the place, staged her studies of the area. Look for any research Lesolethe might have left behind, in particular her aeon recorder. These vaults were ancient even in Lesolethe’s day, and if we can find out what she learned about them, we’ll be that much closer to uncovering their secrets."
Zinthyra’s grin widens even further, a feat that seemed impossible before she started speaking. "Any questions before you get started?"
Zinthyra refers you to a folder on the table. "Pathfinder leadership told me to have this ready during briefings. Wonder why?" she sniffs.
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Rhaegal preens a bit at the praise of being a senior agent with the honor of exploring the vaults first. "But of course experienced agents are needed to be part of such an expedition! Especially when it comes to a wizard who dabbled in forces beyond her control. Such recklessness when it comes to powerful magic. A Dragon may be able to harness them, but others should be very careful. We should be careful of her spirit remaining nearby."
"Ah, an aeon recorder. How interesting! But the ability to store memories inside precious stones -- if I didn't know better, I would say she had some dragonblood! If we find any, I will be sure to keep them secured!"
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Zinthyra suddenly stops and her eyes go very wide. She flies up into Ouliette's face and says "Hang on, you did to Venture-Captain Jorsal?!" She then squeals with laughter, "Jorsal is one of the most stuck-up Venture-Captains I know! He must have been mortally offended! You should tell me more! But that can wait after your exploration!"
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"Look, Eando Kline has earned his sticks. I'm a huge fan of him - I have his entire work right here!" Ouliette retorts as she pulls out a dog-eared copy of the Pathfinder's Journal written by Eando Kline.
"Jorsal, on the other hand, wanted to sue not just me, but the entire squad of Pathfinders accompanying me for assault. Which is a bit much, you know. I picked him up over my shoulder. No actual damage was done to his person!" Ouliette elaborates.
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Zinthyra gapes at Ouliette and regains her composure. "We'll chat about this when you get back. I want to know EVERYTHING!! If you'll step this way..." she says, stepping up to a door.
Zinthyra hovers before an iron door covered with glowing runes, her eyes twinkling in anticipation. "The wards on this door defied all of our attempts to enter," she explains. "Luckily, we tracked down these." Zinthyra withdraws from her cloak three interlocking amethyst rings. "They’re keys," she explains, "recovered from Lesolethe’s secret lab on an island in the Arcadian Ocean. With these, we can unlock the wards and finally enter the vaults!"
Zinthyra touches the rings to the door, and the runes covering the portal’s surface suddenly flare in intensity. When the light fades a moment later, the rings have separated and each has changed color: one is now yellow, one purple, and the third an aquamarine not unlike the color of Zinthyra herself.
"Fascinating!" Zinthyra gasps as she ogles the now-separated rings. She raises a finger, as if only now realizing something of great importance. "But not entirely unexpected!" She presses the rings into the hands of nearest PC, saying "Here, there’s still some magic in them. I can’t say what they do… but I bet you’ll need them for whatever you find inside!" Opening the now-unlocked door reveals a stairwell that descends another 50 feet into the earth. At the bottom of the steps, you can either follow a hallway north or take a side passage west.
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You light your wayfinders and head north.
This stark chamber is empty, save for a three-foot-tall stone obelisk near the eastern wall. Each face of the obelisk is carved with runes of strange design.
Critical Success
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Current AC: 26
Current Condition(s): Vital Beacon (R4) [] 4d10 HP, [] 4d8 HP, [] 4d6 HP, [] 4d4 HP
Cursebound Feats: Nudge the Scales, Oracular Warning, Debilitating Dichotomy
Spell Attack +17 (DC 27)
Known Cantrips (Rank 5): Needle Darts, Shield, Protect Companion, Void Warp, Stabilize, Vitality Lash
Known Spells (Rank 1) [][][][]: Heal*, Necromancer’s Generosity, Summon Undead, Harm, Soothe, Summon Undead*
Known Spells (Rank 2) [X][][][]: Summon Undead*, Final Sacrifice, Necromancer’s Generosity, Cauterize Wounds, False Vitality, Heal*
Known Spells (Rank 3) [][][][]: Necromancer’s Generosity, Rouse Skeletons, Vampiric Feast*, Infuse Vitality, Heal*, Summon Undead*
Known Spells (Rank 4) [X][][][]: Fly, Vital Beacon*, Whispers of the Void, Heal*, Summon Undead*, Vampiric Feast*
Known Spells (Rank 5) [][][]: Inevitable Disaster, Mirror Malefactors*, Grisly Growths, Heal*, Summon Undead*, Vampiric Feast*, Vital Beacon*
Focus Spells (Rank 5) []: Life Link
Staff of Unblinkine Eye (item level 6) [][][][][]: Cantrip – Detect Magic; Rank 1 – Sure Strike ; Rank 2 – Darkvision, See the Unseen, Translate
Wands: [] Heroism (R3)
Invested Items (4/10): Radiant Wayfinder (w Light and 10-ft Faerie Fire), Aeon Stone (Pearly White Spindle), Healer’s Gloves, Diplomat's Badge
Worn Items: Staff of Unblinking Eye, Wand of Heroism (R3), +1 Striking Ghost Touch Hand Cannon, Firearm Ammunition (20 rounds), +1 Studded Leather Armor, Cold Iron Chunk, Silver Chunk, Healer's Toolkit, Backpack
Stowed Items (in Backpack): Chalk (10), Flint and Steel, Rope, Rations (2), Torch (5), Waterskin, Soap
Pathfinder Provision: [][][] moderate healing potion
"You can all touch the obelisk and gain its temporary vitality. I already have extended mine before we leave. If we leave some of it, we will still be safe, right?"
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A statue of a thin Azlanti man crouches atop a plinth against the eastern wall. He has a pained, pitiable look on his face, and wounds in the shape of arcane symbols have been carved across his skin. Rivulets of blood leak from these stone wounds and puddle around the base of the plinth. In its hands, the statue grips a crystal glowing with pale white light.
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Patrick pries the statue's fingers apart and the glowing crystal drops into his hand. This must be one of the memory stones
You continue to move North.
A ring of arcane runes glowing with pale purple light covers nearly the entire floor of this circular room. A flat-topped pedestal, about waist-high on a human, stands beside the circle. A hand-shaped impression indents the top of the pedestal. Though empty, the impression glows with the same purple light as the circle of runes. Both the runes and the hand-shaped impression glow with the same color as the purple ring Zinthyra gave you before you entered the vaults.
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Watching Patrick grab the statue brings Ouliette concern. "Is it safe to treat an ancient magical object like that?" She thinks to herself.
As the party enters the North room, the sudden burst of purple light puts Ouliette on edge. She draws her weapon and puts herself between Patrick and the statue protectively.
"Hang on a sec - It's harmless!" Ouliette cries out sheepishly.
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***Previous Room***
Rhaegal applies some bandages to the previous statue's wounds and the hands open. "Ah, Providing care for the wound would have opened the hands too. Charity for the injured, perhaps."
**Current Room**
Rheagal examines the pedestal, though he needs to uses his wings to fly up as it's just a bit too tall for him to fully see. "Raph, there is a handprint here and the colors suggest a link to your ring. Would you care to take a risk and place your hand here? The one wearing the ring, I would imagine."
The Dragon tries to confirm any link to the ring and what might happen if Raph does put his hand there.
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Fortunately, especially for Raph, his hand remains intact and nothing jumps out to swallow you all.
The retrieval circle opens a temporary portal to the Netherworld, filling the center of the circle with a vortex of shadows. When the shadows disappear a moment later, a ring made of red amethyst floats in the center of the circle. What’s more, the purple ring worn by Raph turns an identical shade of red.
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In a small cubby north of the purple circle, you find an iron-bound chest sitting in an alcove in the southeast corner. The chest’s lid bears a rune of unusual design.