Search Posts
Having finished what you have come to do you set to depart and are not bothered by Xojject Cinderfury again. As you depart, a regally dressed efreeti leans lazy against the wall as you make your way out of Emberhearth. I am Sarath Iqdaudja, a member of the Sultana’s court, you and Qalkami have played a role in larger plans that shall reach all corners of the plane and beyond. You have won the Sultana’s favor, not her ire. But be cautious any attacks against one of the Sultana’s favored ambassadors would bring quick retribution. You barely have a chance to react to what is said before she vanishes. Moments later, Qalkami intercepts you near the edge of the estate. A host of nobles are on their way to witness the Cinderfurys’ treachery! Quickly tell me what you have done. . You hastily debrief her, So Sarath showed up and said we earned the Sultana’s favor. Excellent! So I have the backing of the Sultana in destroying the Cinderfurys! When provide the the Cinderfury Gorget, the efreeti tests the gorget’s weight in her hand for a moment before pocketing it, commenting Pity, how far the family has fallen since their generals were the sultanate’s pride. A sly grin across her face. Qalkami listens intently to where you planted the evidence and seems satisfied it’s been placed in suitable places. Yes, the Society’s obligation to me has been fulfilled, here is the promised secret. She leans in conspiratorially. Only a powerful artifact in its own right could crack the jewel you have found. What you seek is known as Fossilblight, a legendary weapon of solid diamond the shaitans built to punish the City of Brass. She scoffs. They lost it, no thanks to my family’s guile. We found it, and when the shaitans dispatched a mighty colossus to crush us in retaliation, we used the weapon to pin the war machine deep in the Kullan Dei Mountains of Tian Xia, a range on your home planet. Tell your elders, as they seem so desperate to know. I have a final piece of business to conduct. Leave the talismans at the Chromatic Dragon in my name. She takes her leave and you can see Qalkami heads toward a great a plethora of elegantly dressed efreeti nobles, royal guards, and politicians who mill about the estate’s main entrance.
Citizens of Brass! Look upon Emberhearth and observe! Today, the corruption of the Cinderfurys has been revealed, defying the very dynasty that put them in power. They conspire with the Peerless Empire to attack the throne, and their crimes must be punished. It is my charge to protect the Sultana’s glory, and I would extinguish the last flame before allowing any harm to her. I’ve failed her once before, and I will not do so again! Respectful nods, light clapping, and a few cheers from the crowd greet Qalkami’s speech. The royal guards quickly rush into the building while the nobles begin congratulating Qalkami on a job well done. You then meet with the azers at a prearranged location later to exchange information and treasures. If provide the azers with Flamebinder’s Jaw, they are in awe and soon excuse themselves to begin making arrangements to commune with their ancestor. The efreet have enslaved and exploited azers for countless ages, by keeping the Azerite Pact, you have the opportunity to free azers from servitude and recover an important relic, the jaw, connected to the azers’ resistance.
Ranalus recognizes the Bralkashik as an extended guild of efreeti operatives that specializes in smuggling, theft, fencing stolen goods, and other low-violence crime. The Bralkashik are something of an open secret among efreet, who see the organization as a necessary evil in a treacherously civil society, albeit an evil that shames the client whenever that patronage becomes public knowledge. The handout also references Sairazul’s Tears.
As for the Azerite Pact, Ranalus believes it to be genuine and recognizes that contracts like this are extremely rare and almost never duplicated, often because the dominant party holds the only copy that lays claim to the subservient party’s goods or services. The contract’s fine print is written in a painfully ornate Ignan script.
Priscilla begins searching the desk and finds documents requesting aid stacked together and set far to one side; while she finds missives from creditors congregated messily toward the center. In a glass case atop the sideboard to the northeast rests a brass jawbone poised atop a metal stand, another stand next to it contains a brass gorget. Narong searches around the rest of the floor and finds the room next door contains and the one across from it each contains a bed, a wardrobe, a small stand, and a large portrait of a stoic efreeti. Which you realize are portraits of the escaped Xojject Cinderfury. The remaining room contains exotic trophies, ancient relics and glimmering weapons resting atop illuminated pedestals that encircle the room. Four items are especially noteworthy. The first is a Large +1 adamantine battleaxe whose edge is encrusted with a thin layer of curious green crystals. Identify these crystals with a DC 20 Knowledge (planes):
An uncommon growth that sometimes forms from dried shaitan blood. The second is a frost-forged steel breastplate inscribed with Shelynite iconography. The third is a set of bonebreaker bracers made of steel and studded with tiny garnets that seem to map the constellations in an unfamiliar sky. The fourth is a +1 shield cloak made of orange-red drake hide. You plant some evidence on the desk, and head back to the library, planting some evidence there as well. In the library you find a large section devoted to contracts; it contains a wealth of ledgers, trade maps, and signed business agreements covering a wide range of services, including a contract between the Cinderfurys and a group referred to as the Bralkashik. You also uncover a frayed, ancient contract titled the Azerite Pact.
There are also two more major sections of the library you could search, one seems to deal with lineages and the other with magic. Although searching each additional section would likely take another 15-20 minutes each.
As you enter the room, you note that walls of this chamber bear a patina that continuously shimmers and swirls, and every inch of the floor bears fantastic mosaics of metallic tiles. A desk of polished marble stands to the southeast between two bay windows. The desk’s surface is covered in an abundance of brass sheets. Ranalus notes the ceiling here is also 60 feet high. And he begins his grid search, as Narong and Priscilla move into the room. Priscilla calls out and receives no reply, as the searching does not find the invisible Cinderfury patron.
If you decide to drop out of combat: It seems the efreeti managed to escape the room.
GM Rolls:
Ranalus strains to see the efretti but just can't find it. He then fully heals Priscilla. The spiritual weapon continues to hound the mephit, its attack lands and the mephit careens to the ground, finally bested, just as the spiritual weapon and satyr fade away. Priscilla lands two frosty jabs and the elemental is looking badly damaged; then Narong's lucerne hammer finishes the job, as the elemental collapses from the Pathfinder onslaught. All goes quiet for a moment, as the efreeti remains concealed and it's allies lie in steaming heaps. Round 14
Efreeti 21 damage
GM Rolls:
Rolls:
Narong draws his hammer, as Kitajo abundant steps behind the elemental and lands his strike. The mephit continues to fly away back to the upstairs.
The efreeti is nowhere to be seen. Round 14 Effects:
Efreeti 21 damage
The satyr hits a the mephit flies off, and the spiritual weapon pursue and lands its first attack. The satyr also pursues but can't reach the airborne mephit. Ranalus swings the door open and the scene is slight different than it was moments ago. The efreeti is no where to be seen; and the elemental is standing right behind the door.
Priscilla springs to attack, the first thrust misses, but the next one is right on the mark. Even still the Adamantine has trouble piercing the tough magma, but the strike is so precise that it does and the cold from the rapier seems to really hurt the beast. It looks fatigued and frost clings to elemental, impeding it. Though it does not look intimidated. Round 13
Efreeti 21 damage
The mephit flies away from the saytr. The efreeti reaches out and slams the door shut! Round 13
Efreeti 21 damage
Rolls:
Ranalus's spiritual weapon misses at first, but then lands a big blow. He then casts a prayer. The satyr also lands an attack. Kitajo races back upstairs. The mephit fights back against the satyr. Both blows land but can't injure the satyr. The efreeti steps back and fires 6 scorching rays, 3 at each Priscilla and Narong. All the rays land but one, but none do any damage.
What - fire resistance! Now that's cheating. Craterflame get over here! The efreeti calls. A rocky monster glows with an internal heat. Red light spills from its eyes and mouth, as well as fractures in its outer surface comes out from behind the desk and rolls toward the doorway. Round 12
Efreeti 21 damage
The satyr spell doesn't put the mephit to sleep. Priscilla knows that efreeti have a good many spell-like abilities to include: detect magic, plane shift, produce flame, pyrotechnics), scorching ray, invisibility, quickened scorching ray, wall of fire, 3 wishes, gaseous form, and permanent image. Besides the SLAs, the attack with slams or weapons which always deal fire damage. They can also increase and decrease in size. They have vulnerability to cold. Priscilla's attack misses and the efreeti seems surprised. Well! I thought maybe a negotiation was in order, isn't that why you came? But I shouldn't be surprised by the rashness of a child of the air. Narong's strike lands across the fire djinn leg. Ahh...Well and in my own home, and what are you, material serpent man! It yells. Round 11
Efreeti 21 damage
Ranalus flies down with his spiritual hammer which misses the mark. The Satyr begins to cast. Kitajo drops down.
The yellow mephit attempts flee once more heading for the door. Upstairs the door opens, an efreeti stands looking at Pricilla and Narong. Well what's this now. He glances down at the dead mephit. So you think you are so important you can drop by without an appointment? He gives a chuckles, seemingly unphased. Round 11
Steam Mephit
Ranalus's spiritual hammer deals a blow to the mephit, as he moves in. Priscilla's rapier then lands the cold of the frostbite seems to really damage the creature which becomes fatigued, entangled, and intimidated. Kitajo then moves in and attacks as well. His first and third attacks land hard. The mephit drops. The yellow mephit dismisses the obscuring mist, fluttering around the lower level. Round 10
Steam Mephit
Rolls:
Ranalus's spiritual hammer smashes the mephit again, as the rest of the team races up the stairs. The red mephit raps on the door.
Ignan:
Master intruders! The red mephit then claws at Kitajo, but the attack misses. The yellow mephit flies through an opening in the floor back into the mist below. Round 9
Steam Mephit
Rolls:
As the mist obscures the area, the satyr stops his casting no longer able to see the mephits. Ranalus's spiritual weapon strikes twice guided Count Ranalc's power. Ranalus misses his own rapier strike. Kitajo flurries with his rope dart, flinging it airborne into the mist. The first is aimed well, but just misses. The second one is both on target and finds the mark. While the last is off target. Priscilla stands by, as Narong arrives to the fight to find unknown foes flying among a mist filled room. Both mephits then flee and you think you catch a glimpse of them flying to the upper level.
Round 8
Steam Mephit
Rolls:
About the Saytr pipes:
After reading it over, I'm not sure it can exclude anyone...thoughts? Ranalus' calls upon a fellow fey, the satyr begins to play a somnolent tune on his panpipes. Ranalus rises into the air and lands an attack with a his spiritual weapon on a mephit. Priscilla thinks the mephits are likely servants, not slaves, so probably marginally loyal to the efreetis, but are not likely to fight to the death. She also knows that you need magical weapons to damage them , and no real special defenses, but there wounds tend to heal quickly. She then demoralize's the redish mephit who is clearly shaken. Kitajo's rope dart attack misses, as Narong joins the battle. The mephit flies right for Ranalus and attempts to claw him. The claw lands but can't pierce the feyskin. While the other mephit fills the room with an obscuring mist, which extends from just feet above the floor into the air. Round 7
Steam Mephit
Ranalus begins his summons, while Priscilla and Kitajo wait for new threats to emerge, and Narong climbs down the massive bookshelf. Two small mephits pour from the northwestern room. They fly up above you 20 feet in the air. They fly near and then suddenly boiling rain falls from the sky overall but Narong. Normally, you would expect to be badly burned by such a thing, but thanks to Ranalus's resist energy you just get wet.
Round 6
Mephits
Rolls:
So the efreeti tries to move away from Kitajo, who smashes it with an open hand punch, the efreeti crashes out of the sky. Narong makes it in and moves along the book case. DC 15 Perception:
:
The double door to the northwest cracks open. Round 5
Ranalus
Rolls:
Kitajo lands a blow as the efreeti retreats. Narong arms burning from the effort, makes slow progress almost reaching the top. You begin to enter the new room. Straight ahead to the right, a large chamber contains sofas and chairs upholstered in leather with a metallic sheen. A steel table is set with stone plates, crystalline cutlery, and gold-lined goblets. Doors to the north open onto a narrow terrace, and the portrait of a stern efreeti hangs along the west wall. And to the left, two immense staircases sweep up each side of this entry hall, joining at a second floor twenty feet above. Small doors lead to both the east and west. The floor bears an intricate geometric etching. Ranalus pursues and fires his spear of purity nailing the efreeti; it manages to resist part of the attack. Priscilla also pursues, as does Kitajo, landing a big blow. The badly beaten efreeti pulls back further then up into the air. As it's din rises louder.
Ignan:
Sound the alarm!
DC 15 Perception:
The double door to the northwest cracks open. Round 4
Efreeti blinded 91 dmg (71 lethal, 20 non)
Round 5
Priscilla climbs down part way then drops down to the floor. Those who have advanced with the efreeti find themselves in a room that contains a glass table etched with serpentine designs and high-backed glass chairs. The blinded efreeti pushes through the door, and fumbling along flies into the next room, it begins to call out.
Ignan:
Sound the alarm! Round 3
Efreeti blinded 33 dmg (13 lethal, 20 non)
Round 4
Kitajo jumps down, he takes some damage as he drops.
The efreeti retreats from the room, flying away. Round 3
Efreeti 33 dmg (13 lethal, 20 non)
Round 4
Rolls:
Narong moves to the rope and begins to climb, it's hard work in his full plate, but he keeps a strong and steady pace. Ranalus conjures some shadow glitterdust. The efreeti recognizes it for what it is, despite this the shadow trick almost blinds the foe, but it's willfulness leaves it only outlined in shadowy glitter. Sword in mouth, Priscilla moves quickly up the rope and nears the window ledge. Kitajo unleashes his flurry, landing his first blow and a powerful elbow, his next strike misses, and as he attempts to push the efreeti away, it tries to slam him, but misses. His push attempt however can't budge the large genie of fire. The efreeti never the less gives Kitajo what he wants, it flutters backward and quickly fires off 3 scorching rays at Ranalus; then fires 3 more at Kitajo. All 3 hit Ranalus, but none do any damage and Kitajo simply dodges all 3 rays. The efreeti roars in anger.
Round 2
Efreeti 33 dmg (13 lethal, 20 non)
Round 3
Rolls:
Priscilla casts her spell and begins to climb up. Kitajo jumps above her and quickly pulls himself to the window ledge next to Ranalus. The efreeti throws open the curtains to reveal the two Pathfinders behind it. What is this!? It mutters in broken common, but doesn't wait for an answer before slamming Kitajo, landing the fiery shove...of course the fire does nothing thanks to Ranalus. Round 1
Efreei
Round 2
Rolls:
Initiative
Ranalus activates his Feyskinned, as Kitajo magically makes his escape. Ranalus then acting quickly casts communal resist energy on the group. Round 1
Ranalus
Ranalus flies up to the window and lays his hands upon the window after a minute of concentrating he sees: Felt-lined shelves from floor to ceiling cover every inch of wall space in this exquisite library. Each shelf contains a menagerie of books, ancient scrolls, maps, metal plates, and charts of all size, color, and design. A large table sits in the middle of the room, holding stacks of books and stray sheets of parchment. Exotic trinkets and baubles are interspersed in the multitude of items, with each shelf labeled in angular text.
You leave the azers and head for Emberhearth, the last remaining estate of the Cinderfury family. It's elegant, grand, and opulent, made entirely of living brass, its walls rise to a height of 60 feet, proportioned for massive genies. 5-foot-wide windows placed evenly around the building feature maroon curtains currently drawn for privacy. In the front, brass bricks make up the entirety of this almost ostentatious edifice. Fiery motifs, gem inlays, and vines made entirely of flame snake their way across the building’s facade. Ornate, brass railings corral visitors toward a pair of massive bronze doors.
Yes free and cause problems. The azers convey the basic layout of Emberhearth. The Cinderfurys’ greatest treasures is Flamebinder’s Jaw, the jawbone of the first enslaved azer to ever defy the family. Flamebinder learned some of the secrets of the efreet, so in order to both make an example and preserve this secret, the Cinderfurys' killed the azer and made a trophy out of his jaw. I wonder if recovering the jaw might allow us to commune with the dead ancestor, and learn the secret Another of the azer's shares. Finally, the azers offer to help in 1 of 3 ways of your choosing (lacking the resources, time, and stealth to safely accomplish more). Either they can 1) gather the other azers at the estate and convince them to leave, 2) collect as many treasures as they can for you, or 3) gather important documents for you.
|
