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"In the Kho Mountains. Rohit will take you, he knows the desert, although he's never been before Ka. With so many of our clergy gone to the Temple of Aroden we have no guides from here at the temple, but I do know one other who has. As it happens he may be found in the Hall of Pharasma."
"This question you must ask of the holy man, Ka. We understand that the gem can see the demon's 'spirit' from a distance, but we do not know if we can locate the physical body with it. One way or another, though, we will find the body. There are other means to do so."
"Yes, that is correct. And although it may easily be located, it is not always easily reached. Stories of such adventures are kept by the Order of the Holy Sentinal, and some also by the Pathfinders. I have none here for you now." "Most often, the bodies are hidden on other planes."
<Reaches out and picks up the large emerald orb, after examining it for a while he begins speaking again in serious tones.> "The Eye of Aroden. Histories write that it protects against possession. Not entirely, but that it weakens the abominations." "If you know them, know their names, it can detect them in several ways. First, when they approach, it responds. Second, when they are at a distance they can be scried, but they can see back through it, through their brother inside." "And they are drawn to it. They can flee from you, but sooner or later they will come back, come looking for it, so that they can destroy it." "The writings also say that the gem can empower those who fight against the demons, how this works was not explained. The gem can enclose them, and prevent escape. And it can bind them." "This is all I know. I have already told it to Rohit." <He sets it down and quietly resumes his eating.>
"Excellent, Rohit. May it serve you well. Alas we have no copies of the litanies of Aroden, but this may be of some help to you. It contains considerable wisdom on the subject of demon hunting."
"I am not, honored sir, a great warrior, but I will lend my body to this task, though I pray I do not lose my soul!" Brother Domo pipes up from the back of the room, where he was listening rapt. "I thank you young man. Ever have I found the followers of Irori welcome beside us. And I hope you will see that greatness at war is not necessarily what we need here."
How close we are not sure. A paladin or cleric of Aroden versed in rituals of its use is needed to operate the Eye, so the historians write, but the only one known in these parts is said to be an insane elven hermit in the Zho Mountains. The Iomedeans call him Ka. He is desert blooded, from the old elves of the Osirian sands. He has become something of an oracle for the clerics here in the temple in recent decades. I have travelled there myself twice. It seems it is time to consult with him again, although I am getting rather old myself From the readings I’ve found in the pathfinder hall, this gem artifact was created for hunting only a certain kind of demon, your kind obviously, and its brethren. It is said to empower the hunters, restrain the demon, and seal the prison. Although it is divine, from its current state we may guess that it does not rely on Aroden living, we think that it may contain a splinter of his divine being, and this is also suggested by the histories. We are quite sure that it also contains being of one of Vass’s brothers. Hopefuly it will not be broken. I think that at the same time that Rohit seeks a man of Aroden, he might also try the litanies of the Order of the Holy Sentinel, as many of them were passed down by paladins of Aroden. I am assuming of course that you will put the Eye in his care, as well as join him in this task… Well, indeed, it might be suicidal for you to stray too far away from the gem considering the reputation of the abomination you have awoken. So, is everyone to be dealt in?
"You must find its body." "Until then the demon's... being... can be hunted and trapped using the Eye of Aroden, and contained until the body can be found. Presumably it has hidden itself, and the body lies somewhere in stasis."
"Why yes, you shall find the Hall of Pharasma on the eastern cliff. On the sheer face below it the people of Katheer have been interring their dead for ages. It's quite a sight." "The guards who walk the walls above, however, would probably disagree. Night watch in the District of the Dead is not a duty for the faint of heart, so they say. When you have time for sightseeing I suggest you see the natural towers around the East Apron Wall. Very beautiful. We call them the Soul Towers."
"That is quite a gem. Although I suppose its value is overshadowed by grim purpose. Possession of such is more than seems." <He chuckles like a guinea pig.> "Pardon the pun." <Looking the Eye over but not touching it. Looks at Aref.> "Yes, Vass. We also know he is not the only one. I traded in a big favor from far back to look through the Pathfinder's library yesterday and apparently Vadatajs and his brothers enjoy some timeless infamy - although they were thought all destroyed or imprisoned. Now we know for sure that at least one is not." <A few mouthfuls of food.> "You'll see the clergy in the temple are largely absent today, we've sent out a team to secure the Temple of Aroden and the library vault within. Perhaps this will yield us additional information, who can know? In the meantime we know enough to begin moving against this creature."
<The Primarch begins eating.> "So where were we?"
"Tell me about. And I'm not that young." “You must be Mr. Cordoba. Bhodan has told me of the escape on the Intractable. Very bravely fought. You’re young enough to have some of that fight left in you I assume.” “I am Primarch Pangloss.” <The Primarch casts a craggy eye around the circle.> "I understand you have the Eye, but that the demon is escaped? And the slaver Book is out free to do his evils again? These are things we must put right. "I admire you desire to right all the wrongs in the world, but you have to agree doing that will be easier after we've had some food." ”Food is coming Mr. Cordoba. As for the eye, Rohit is quite correct. I think it must be brought out, let us see this artifact.” "Hoktsu has questions , yes ? Hoktsu thought slavery legal in Katheer so can we kill this Book in public or do we need to be sneaky ? And can we loot them this time , last time you guys got rid of the corpses of the perfect strangers too fast ... " "Be at ease my young friend, the next mark is yours." “Pleased to meet you Mister Hoktsu. Indeed, slavery is quite legal here, and killing a man is not. But kidnapping IS frowned upon, even when it is done to outsiders. And vengeance, and the will to see your own justice, these the people of Katheer understand quite well - and the Judges do know right from wrong, misguided as they may be in their worship of the Dawnflower. I doubt you’ll find much legal resistance from the law should you advise Mr. Book to stop breathing. His associates in the slave trade might not take so kindly to such assassinations, however, and of their justice you must be cautious.” As for LOOT <he says the word with a sneer>, I’ve heard that pirates are wont to carry with them maps. And although that may just be a cliché my ambitious friend, it may interest you to know that Mister Book is said to have stolen something from Gozreh himself and was cursed by the god. One wonders what could be stolen from a god, and what value it might be. Doesn’t one?” “As I am already indebted to you, Mr. Hoktsu, for the assistance you have lent to the men who carry the gem, I am hesitant to suggest that you might become more so. Vadatajs, the demon, walks. He is not mighty in and of himself, but could, potentially, destroy this nation, others, and has done so to many nations before. May I suggest that your continued assistance might find some motivation in self interest? Because if this demon gets into the nobility he’ll most likely try to bring the war to the Inner Sea. I think he would find that quite comforting. As it is, I find we in the Order are rather busy enough with the Worldwound. We don’t need another war." "Besides, it will be a hell of an adventure, little one." "So to speak"
<A wry, gray haired man strolls into the refuge and looks down at you.> "You'll have plenty of time to sleep when you're dead, young man." |
