”That or she will be judged, and will receive her just rewards.” replies Faustus. ”But no matter. We are back, and can rest assured that we saved many.a Pathfinder, not to mention our entire history, on this day. We have reason to be proud on this day. ”
"Ah... a chuul. Haven't seen one of those before. Be careful around it... they have a paralyzing venom, and those claws are a little nasty in that they'll grab you as well as pinch once they have you in the grab. Don't get close of it'll have an easy time hitting you."
Faustus takes a step forward as he calls upon The First to proclaim a judgement (for protection and destruction).
Faustus uses his domination to force the caveperson to drop the link, and has him wander off into the city, while the Pathfinders look for another anchor to release.
Faustus ignores the beast, moving around it. Provokes
”Come, friend, let us not fight. The time for fighting is over ”
Swaying Word, DC19 will
Swaying Word:
Swaying Word (Sp): At 8th level, once per day you may speak a word of divinely inspired wisdom that causes a single creature to switch its alliance to you. The target must be within line of sight and able to hear you. If he fails his Will save, he is affected by dominate person, except the duration is only 1 minute.
"Ah, Lady Arodeth. You think you understand suffering." replies Faustus. "My soul is pledged to the Lord of Darkness with an unbreakable contract. One that I entered into willingly.
"Love the Prince of Lies... perhaps that is too strong of a word. Respect and fear him, unflinchingly.
"But think upon this, Lady Arodeth. If you change things now, and are able to stop this from happening, this Earthfall, then you will prevent the very god that you wish to save from even reaching divinity.
"For was it not the act of raising the Starstone and his contact with it that transformed him from a man into a god? How can Aroden, a mere mortal man, become the god he is destined to be, IF YOU PREVENT THE CATALYST FOR HIS RISING FROM EXISTING?
"You clearly have not though this out, zealot. You who claim to know the price my people have paid for their stability. It is YOU who will end your gods existence, even before he becomes one!"
Intimidation:1d20 + 25 ⇒ (8) + 25 = 33 Naw... not good enough. Going to push it here. Rerolling Intimidation:1d20 + 25 + 5 ⇒ (17) + 25 + 5 = 47 That's better
"Well spoken, Lya." says Faustus. "My Empire knows full well the cost of the loss of the god Aroden. My people have literally sold their souls to the devil to survive, but we even we know that what you are trying to do is beyond the ability of mortals. Do you not think that The Inheritor would have done what you want to do, were it possible?
"Nay, as we shed the light of truth upon your Harbingers, let us discuss it with you. What you are doing here today may well end in the destruction of all... but it will not end with the return of your dead god.
With his typical calm voice, ”If you would to lead the discussion, be my guest. “ says Faustus. ”I believe my successes speak for themselves, and I would be remiss to pass around the responsibilities. You have my complete support.”
”Very well. It is time for this Lady Arodeth to pay for her crimes. ” states Faustus. ”While I plan to talk first, I have a feeling this will not have an effect on her. So, I do expect it will be time for Final Arbitration.
“If you all would like to go in guns blazing, as it were, I will support that as well.
“Lady Lilybeth, would you be able to haste us prior to entering?”
Faustus will recast his shield of faith. Everything else is still up.
Faustus moves up into the room, figures that the two harbingers are taken care of, and looks to the elemental. With his tongues spell still active, he says (in its language).
"Leave now or be destroyed!" intimidate:1d20 + 25 ⇒ (20) + 25 = 45
"Good job, Theo." says the inquisitor, as he turns to the mage.
"So have come the days of glory, oh All-powerful Wizard Omandi Mil. Tales of your extraordinary magical prowess preceded you here, but now, with your bringing upon the Age of Glory, it is time for you to celebrate!
"Give up this burden, this mantel that binds you, less it interfere with your rightful celebrations. Release it to me, or to the aether, I have not the capacity to understand what would be most prudent.
"Celebrate what you have done! Celebrate like none have since Cayden Cailean took the test of the Starstone!"
"Are you forgetting the most important card? The one that represents yourself?
"Obviously you are 'The Lost' since you are so lost here."
Faustus leans down to tap that card. "Had it been inverted, you know that would have meant you are finding something. But as it is, you are looking for your guides to show you the way.
"I will tell you true... retrace your steps to return to from where you came. That is the way home. Release your misgivings, and your burden, returning home empty handed in supplication to whatever god you hold most dear. That is the only way you can escape this horror."
bluff:1d20 + 21 ⇒ (3) + 21 = 24
Please let me know if you want me to slow down.
I suggest we buff the aid token and let it go to a table that needs it.
"And we all know who the devil applies to. And Lya... this must be about us." says Faustus, as he approaches the man.
"Good sir, may we be off assistance? It appears that you have laid out a foretelling of our arrival. That is, me and my companions here. What you are puzzling over, for sure, is the why.
"I can tell you, as one very learned in such things, that this foretelling is telling you that you must release the tethers that bind you to the past, else you will not achieve your future. You are lost, and we are the guides to bring you home.
"Release your bindings now, that you might achieve enlightenment."
Faustus grins behind his mask as he approaches.
’I could go with lies, or truth. But, this time, I think it is to be something more fun.’
”Arule Shahan, what you speak is truth. But truth that is was not meant for these people. You believe you worship a god of prophesy, and that he gave you these vision. But these are not prophesies, and if you speak more of them, not only do you doom these people, but you doom your nation of Taldor to never come.” the volume of his voice rises to a crescendo, as a zealot preacher before his flock.
“Your dead god Aroden was the last of the Azlanti, but if they do not fall, he cannot rise! If he does not rise, what of your beloved Taldor? Will he be there to lead the Shining Crusade to save your from the Whispering Tyrant?
“No! You must let this happen, you Taldan fop!! For Taldor! For Aroden! And, yes, even for Cheliax!!
Intimidate:1d20 + 25 ⇒ (10) + 25 = 35
’So that he can betray us by not returning, leading to my Lord of Darkness gaining his proper respect in the Empire.’
"Very well, with that clue, let us at least go and try and put an end to these tether.
"For the sake of conserving resources, I would think that we should start by trying to talk the Harbingers into voluntarily surrendering their tethers. If they choose not to, there is always Final Arbitration."
"Master Shaine, is there a way that we can detect where these Harbingers are, so that we are not running around like a bunch of Galtan anarchists trying to find them? Any help you can provide will be of use." Faustus's tone has shifted from one of respect to that of someone scolding a puppy who just soiled the carpet, as if he knows the puppy can't help it, but needs to be disciplined.
"Can you deny, without a shadow of doubt, that his devotion will not help? For if you cannot, then let this poor soul find solace in my patron." says Faustus.
Faustus is interested in the holy symbol the man wearing.
religion:1d20 + 10 ⇒ (14) + 10 = 24
Whether or not he identifies it, he asks, ”Acavna? So you think she has a chance of protecting you? Perhaps you should turn to The First. If enough of you join him, perhaps he will be kind enough to save us all.”
Faustus will calmly walk forward, making a show of stowing his weapon. "Please be calm, friends. We are not here to fight, we are as much surprised by this course of events as you are.
"We are archeologists and explorers out to learn about your people and culture, but we apparently got a little lost along the way. Please, what can we do to help?"
diplomacy:1d20 + 21 ⇒ (20) + 21 = 41Well, there you go...
Since this is spoilerific, I will spoiler them "Very well. Since you asked. We are from your future... approximately 10,000 years in the future. And before you ask, I am not going to tell you what happened."
Without breaking his dead-tone, he talks about a few of his missions.
Forged in Flame series:
"I spent a good few week on the Plane of Fire, working for, and against, an efreet. Come to think of it, while I was there, we did free some slaves. Sounds like I am starting to make a habit of this. When asked by the efreeti that had hired us, I chose to omit this piece of information, even when directly asked if there was anything else. He believed me, of course, though some of my companions almost revealed there was more.
"The First trains his inquisitors well. First, to weed our weakness and Chaos; second, to always be challenging those that believe themselves superior in their adherence to Law. There are always those that give more lip service than true fidelity."
What Prestige is Worth:
"On another mission, I was brought to Hell itself. Specifically, to Dis, so unfortunately I did not get the chances to pay call upon my Patron. While there, I was able to weed out corruption, as is my wont and training, including uncovering a Phistophilus that was particularly inept at writing contract, freeing several entities from its grasp. I was astonished by the laziness of this creature, and that lack of precision in its contracts, so, of course, I help it along to its punishment."
Tapestry's Trial:
"And, of course, I must mention that I played defense attorney upon the plane of Axis. I find the duplicitous of certain entities of Law very distasteful. I was able to defend my client, by discrediting every piece of evidence brought before her.
"Now, mind you, it was an interesting view sitting in this court of law. Now, mind you, being a barrister is more of a hobby to me, than a true profession, but I through all of my powers of observation and negotiation into this trial.
"I would enjoy that, sir. If it becomes possible, I will join you. I have been to more unusual places than that." he glances over at Lya, recalling a trip to Axis, Hell, and the plane of fire.
"In fact, it was she who told us where to find you, that we might rescue you as we did her.
"I have heard of you, but the tales of your prowess we so inflated as to paint you a god. A god having risen from a mere mortal man? Who would think that such a thing were possible.
"Nay, I believe these stories were greatly exaggerated, though seeing you wrestling that serpent, perhaps not as much as I would have expected. Perhaps you could shed some light on this, and tell the true tale, for you appear to not be one to tell stories where there truth would suffice."
Faustus uses the versatile tool that is an adamantine weapon to free break the remaining chain.
Azlanti via Tongues:
"I fear that my weapon will be unable to free you from the actual shackles, though the chains will not hold you any more. However, it may be more impressive to your troops should you arrive, wearing them. I feel your escape will inspire them to greater glory!"
"As for me, it is true that we are not from here, though that is more of a thing of time than location. I could have our mage here explain, but I fear that would take more time than we have.
"May I suggest us moving to where your troops are, so that you can rally them in their rebellion? They have been fearing the worst for you."
Sense Motive, DC20:
It seems clear that, for once, Faustus is deferring to someone else. Likely the fact that this man is a general of an army, and above all else, Chelaxians are taught that Order is important above all else.
Faustus ignores the others as he brings his adamantine heavy mace down on the chain holding the captive. "I will have you free in a moment, my friend." he says, letting the magic of his tongues spell translate for the man, if needed.
”It is a good thing you are zealots, as you know where I am sending you. ” states the inquisitor, as he attacks with bane enabled.
Final Arbitration, haste, bane, PA:1d20 + 15 + 1 + 2 - 2 ⇒ (15) + 15 + 1 + 2 - 2 = 31Adamantine +5 bludgeoning, bane, PA:1d8 + 7 + 2 + 4d6 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 7 + 2 + (6, 2, 6, 2) + 4 = 34
Lya's player is camping tonight, so I will bot for her...
will save 1:1d20 + 15 ⇒ (6) + 15 = 21 will save 2:1d20 + 15 ⇒ (4) + 15 = 19 Lya take 8 damage
Lya moves up to support the team with her glaive at the ready, trying to get closer the bound man. Unfortunately, she is currently out of range for Paladin's Sacrifice.
She readies to aid another to aid the first Pathfinder's AC within range, but her lack of comfort with combat causes her to be of no help.
Will save 1:1d20 + 14 ⇒ (8) + 14 = 22 Will save 2:1d20 + 14 ⇒ (14) + 14 = 28 Faustus takes 4hp damage
With tongues"Your god will be disappointed today. My soul is already claimed by The Prince of Darkness. He would be most wrought if it was taken from him by the likes of you."
planes to ID:1d20 + 10 + 5 ⇒ (6) + 10 + 5 = 21+3 if it is a demon
Faustus moves forward, not hurrying, an inexorable juggernaut of doom. He then casts shield of faith to enhance his armor class.
"I should ask for your surrender now, but I know I would be wasting my breath."
