I did some digging, looks like this was/is her only active game. Main account made a post in a PF2 forum in Jan 2022, but that was the last activity that I can find on Paizo.
I would keep playing- though it may be tough in terms of recovery of momentum. I spend 2-3 months completely overwhelmed at work and just started to see the light of day. I am happy to go with consensus though.
Sorry. I have been really overwhelmed with work. I will do better about getting posts in on a routine basis
"It seems like our friends prefer penthouse views. I am not sure what defenses they might have, but it would be easy enough to fly up, I would suppose. At least Mak'da could check it out for us, if necessary. Regardless, it looks like our next path is up and not forward."
A moment later, wings unfurl from her Armor and Arisira begins to lift off the ground.
"Right. That settles it- I think we are going to go see this Brittni giant. Are you going to come and rescue your friends that she has hostage, or just hang around here?"
"Ah. That makes much more sense then. Such strong warriors as yourself, of course she wanted your people as her guards. There is no way that she is going to be holding them hostage, or torturing them for your failures, or anything like that"
Diplo or Bluff:1d20 + 23 ⇒ (5) + 23 = 28
"What was her name again? You seemed to have not mentioned that part..."
"Storm queen, huh? At least you remember us enough to not underestimate us. There is wisdom in that. Now, why would this storm queen want his head? Did she reach out to you... or you to her?"
Turning back to her companions, Arisira keeps the youths in the edge of her peripheral vision.
"Well, I guess we go and talk to the boss, right? We didn't come all the way here to parlay with some teenagers"
She pauses a moment, making eye-contact with each of her companions and looking for the subtle signs of assent. After an accord is reached, she turns back around...
If there is another plan brewing, I am happy to hear it
"Can you point the way to chiefs? I would be much obliged" and she heads off
"I must be careful then, being a little race and all. I'll admit I am pretty quick though."
Know Planes:1d20 + 17 ⇒ (2) + 17 = 19
"Are you certain there is nothing we could offer or discuss that would be of value to the enforcers and to the Chief Jurn? It seems like the smashing of the castles put all of you at risk and that the chief may have risked you for some personal purpose or gain. But, that would completely of his character right? He would never do something like that to a fine group of giants like yourselves..."
Who is this chief? Is that someone I can meet? What exactly is a 'living rock'? I dont think I have heard of anything like that before. Out of curiosity, is there any chance your chief has something against storm giants?"
I have many nerves, despite my small size. Yes, its true! Jurn? Is that a person? A Tribe? A location? I am really quite curious!", She continues on in a polite and disarming tone.
I completely missed the update this weekend. Sorry!
The halfling is caught off guard by the initial response, including the steak thrown to TKhan. She pauses a moment before speaking, carefully at first.
"Hello, large ones! Thank you for your... warm welcome! This place is quite... homely. How come your band to such a location? What purpose does such a camp serve?"
The tracking should be easy, its the motivation that is the hard part. As my companion mentions, the presence of devils further complicates the picture for me. Do your pursuits often bring you in contention or proximity to Hell or its occupants?
So the trade is some potions, and preparation of our ritual- for investigating and killing Hill giants? One of those sounds much more dangerous than the other, ya know?
The halflng grabs a potion of protection from fire, acid, and water breathing, sliding them into her bag.
"Thank you for the potions, though. I just hope that we dont *need* them. I guess we could start with asking about what you already know about the Giants. Do you have any on-going feuds that we should be aware of?"
"You have found yourself in the basement of a Storm Giant's castle, attacking the foundation... probably not the best place, if I am being honest. Some demons had you all possessed, so I am sure it isn't your fault. But, I think it would be best if you got on out before someone decides you should take the blame"
Clarification: The giant has been exorcised and then re-entrapped?
"Knock it off, you sad excuse for intelligent life. Why don't you pick on someone with a few more brain cells? Or are you just that pathetic? Actually, I take that back- you must be that pathetic... "
Quickly, the halfling sizes up the situation. In a voice that seems much louder and larger than her small stature would indicate.
Diplomacy:1d20 + 23 ⇒ (18) + 23 = 41
"I suppose I should have suspected as much. Stooping as low as binding up a giant to do your bidding. Giant, what say you? Free yourself from these bonds and seek your freedom! I have no quarrel with you- and no desire to end your existence over something you did not choose!"
Sorry guys! I was/am at the hospital with the wife and our new daughter. I thought I posted a response last night, but I think I fell asleep in the middle of it :)
"You have our word and our assistance- and we agree, in good faith, to negotiate our price when you later."
Turning, she glances around and heads for the nearest steps and begins what she assumes is the long decent to the lower levels. Her bow remains nocked as she prepares for the next "pathfinder surprise" that she has come to expect on all of her adventures.
I think it is time for us to be pressing forward. While these giants don't concern me, the more attention we bring the more difficult this will become. And the growing pile of giant bodies certainly isn't inconspicuous...
She picks up her bow and steps forward, after confirming the healing has been complete.
Her primary target, having been felled- Arisira skirts through the fallen wall and behind Valin. Knocking her bow, she sends one arrow toward the Giant creature.
Arisira repositions herself, opening up a line of fire to the stone giant, before releasing her arrows. Trickles of arcane energy surround the arrow tip and turn it alight!
"Thank you for your time, Mr Giant People" she calls out as they leave confused.
Upon approach of the cloud castle, Arisira glances at her companions before nodding- ready to slip inside. With a quick hand gesture, she vanishes from sight Invisibility
"Lead on, I will follow and stay close" she whispers in Vera's ear
Walking out of the room, Arisira casually turns to her companions.
"Sounds like he left something out to me. The least that he could have done is offer us a halfway decent smoke- this crap isn't worth leaf it is wrapped in."
She pulls the cigar back out of her pocket and with a abrupt hand wave, it crushes under some unseen force.
"Since when did the pathfinders not even arrange travel for their operatives?"
Arisira takes a long, slow, look at the cigars before reaching out and taking hold of the cigar. She slips it into her pocket and nods a silent thanks at the captain.
Maybe it wont be as bad as it looks...
"Hey now, Captain Hestram. Are you implying that I don't have giant blood in me?" she feigns indignation before cracking a small smile. "Any giant that opts not to crush us 'small folk' on sight is good enough for me. I guess that means that we are headed to the North. I always imagine what a lodge of my own might look like. As long as there is a good winery close by, I am sure I can make it work"
A smurk crosses her face, as she thinks through the implications and then the task at hand.
"I might have missed this, but did you tell us what our previous encounter was with this Zoarth? I suppose you also know what that 'price' might be?"
I will go with team consensus. It seems like spire is out (and I am ok with that). I havent played either Riven Sky or Ruby Phoenix... Core or Regular, so those options are somewhat appealing to me.
Arisira casually pulls out a cigar, and "supervises" the destruction of the phylactery before turning her attention to the stacks of books, tomes, and manuals. Once she realizes Mak'da's magical transportation- she starts to organize and prepare the golems for departure, ensuring the most useful and unique are delivered first.
"Neat trick. I have seen a lot of things, but tree-doors is something completely different...
Upon finally crossing the portal herself, Arisira tosses a casual glance at Hestram. "You said that the last time too- and the time before that, if I remember correctly... Now if you will excuse, it has been far too long since I had a good bottle of wine!" she says, excusing herself and disappearing into the grand city.
Arisira walks across the room, and gazes at the controller rod that is fashioned on the re-deceased "queens" throne.
"I don't suppose this has any value to the pathfinders, huh?"
She glances around as well, looking with longing at the accumulated knowledge.
"We cannot leave all of this here, nor can we leave this place open for the dangers of these fiends. We should explore what we can, while here- but close and seal it upon our departure. Perhaps this rod, and those that it controls, will be helpful in that endeavour. "
"I believe the phylactery is better off destroyed. I will gladly take these books- contributing them to the society after we have indexed them. That said, these demons..."
Know Arcana:1d20 + 22 ⇒ (3) + 22 = 25
Is there any evidence that the wards binding these other entities are failing?
The flash of cold washes over Arisira, who’s slow reactions prevent her companions from making more efficient use of the early combat- she finished casting Haste, to include her companions (Valin, if able based on his movement)
on a really bad mobile connection and can’t load the maps. I think I can stand pat with positioning, unless there is an obviously safer/better reposition
In the momentary, lingering silence, a slow, sly smile crosses Arisira's face. Done with the subtle jabs and intellectual back and forth- she finally pushes on the subject at hand
"So then, tell me. Is lichdom all that you thought it would be, great undead one? "
If the woman confirms in any way that she is a lich, Arisira will cast haste
"Grace means little, when the reasons it is offered are selfish. Do you believe I haven't noticed the failing wards? You don't offer grace, you are facing the very moment you have dreamed of for a millennium and are afraid that we will take it all away from you. And you will do, or say, anything you can if it means we delay another 5 minutes. That isn't my definition of hospitality"
I don't want to dominate the game here. Arisira is happy to trigger a combat, if she senses the others are in support. She could also keep bantering until she finally provokes the creature.
If that roll reveals an impending threat/timeline, Arisira will skip the conversation and react by casting haste on the party. If there is no "clock" she will continue to needle the woman
"I understand more than you might imagine about the desire for notoriety and fame. However, I simply collect things. Stories. Histories. Lost knowledges, tomes, and experiences. Quite successfully, I might add. And what has that taught me?
It is meaningless. Vanity. A chasing after the wind. One can no sooner add meaning to their life through wisdom or wealth, than they can achieve true immortality. And those that try, with both wisdom and immortality, are often the most unhappy and unfulfilled. What you are chasing, Helsprex, is a figment of your imagination- and nothing more. "What is crooked, cannot be straightened. What is lacking, cannot be counted."
Your library is not a trade, and it is not a request. Simply an observation that the only thing I would consider asking of you doesn't even require your presence. All the power you have accumulated. All the years you have sat here. All the lengths you have taken to achieve immortality and still the most valuable thing about you is a collection of books...
"Ah, so you are a hero in your mind only? The misunderstood protagonist in a story of your own imagination. Many stories speak of your ilk, but I regret to inform you that Helsprex is a name devoid of any meaning to the world... even the most learned have all but forgotten your existence."
She waits and pauses as she talks, to needle home each line.
"And what you seek in immortality is but a wretched half-truth. Powerful magic does not a powerful person make. Surely you know that by now. I admit, there is much knowledge that I wish to possess. These golems, among others such things- you inuit correctly. However, I believe these records, manuals, and books so carelessly scattered about your... home... should serve as more than enough of a starting place."
Arisira is not outright trying to get her to attack- more trying to provoke her or get a reaction out of her that would fully display her true colors.
As the doors open, Arisra steels herself before approaching. Once inside the small chamber, she quickly looks over the columns, attempting to identify any particular person or figure. What have we here?
Know. Bonuses are in my spoiler:1d20 ⇒ 18
As her attention falls on the enthroned figure, something tickles the back of her mind. Captors? Freedom?
Sense Motive:1d20 + 23 ⇒ (1) + 23 = 24
I am Arisira, and I am pleased to have met you- these circumstances aside. With whom do I have the honor of speaking, and apparently freeing? Tell me- what is this imprisonment you suffer, and at whose command?"
The flash of white light makes the most difficult part of the travel just a formality- and the trio of Arisira, Vera, and Valin appear on the top of the massive golem.
She moves forward, besides Mak'da. "Let me take a look at that panel, if you don't mind. I wonder if this would let me..."
Taking over from the half-elf, she begins to fiddle with the controls.
Using the take 10 option for Loremaster, Engineering is a 23. If she fails to pass with a 23, she will then use one of her take 20's for a 33
