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The appearance of the alligator-like tail, the green scales, and moreover, the smell of them, is almost exactly like the creatures from the Zoological Gardens.
The two guards look at each other and speak in snake-like voices, using their native tongue:
"Azlantian ssscum... With foreign allies? No matter, they will rot in these cagesss this day," says the red-eyed lizard as it grins wickedly, brandishing its weapon.
Gallix, Mr. Peppers, and D
Green-eyed lizard
Blaster, Sirettis, and Uesugi
Red-eyed lizard
Uszanriar
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Mr Peppers will step to the south slightly so he can see down the hallway. Considering there are only 2 of them and 7 of us he'll pull out his wand and ready a blast at one if it starts to cast a spell, otherwise he'll let his allies take down the threats.
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Gallix steps in front of Corsac, taking up a stance like a runner on the starting block, then launches himself around the heavily armored samurai before leaping into the air and slamming a spiked fist into the head of the lizard man.
"Lizardfolk again," Gallix calls out to the others as he rises from his landing. "Watch out for the claws and teeth if they don't come at you with the morningstar."
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D's sand bullet flies overhead the green-eyed lizardman and a crack is heard in the distance as it embeds into a wall. Gallix throws a punch, but the lizardman dodges it just in time. Its morning star catches Gallix in the chest and opens up a wound. The lizardman follows it with a bite to Gallix's shoulder, which injures him though only superficially.
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The red-clawed lizard shakes its head furiously as Sirettis compels it to sleep. Blaster's shot flings through the air seconds later and pierces a gaping wound through its body, and Uesugi slices and dices whatever is left of the creature.
Uszanriar grins at the party's progress and dashes ahead, then adds,
"I regret that we still have not yet left this wretched prison, but it is good to know I have made some formidable allies."
Gallix, Mr. Peppers, and D
Green-eyed lizardfolk
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Gallix grimaces at the wounds the lizard has dealt him, but doesn't hesitate to swiftly step between the unfamiliar creature and Uesugi, thus clearing a path for any of the others who might want to move in to aid in the assault. As he stands over the collapsed form of the downed lizardfolk, he slams his foot onto the creatures head, hoping to produce a sickening crack as he breaks the helpless creature's jaw.
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Mr. Pepper's magic missile is an easy hit on the lizardfolk, who begins choking shortly after Gallix smashes the dead lizardfolk's head with his foot, spraying brain matter and flesh all over its face. D's sand bullet strays too far to the side and bangs into one of the cells, sending a loud CLANG! throughout the hall.
The green-armored lizardfolk swings its morningstar at Uesugi and nearly hits itself as the spiky ball flies back in its face.
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Mr Peppers nods at Uesugi as he translates to the feral looking woman. He then goes to stow his wand in his belt but thinks better of it. I think I'll be needing this again soon I bet.
Mr Peppers then asks Gallix to move a few innards and limbs around on the lizardmen so he can confirm they are the same and no new notes need to be taken.
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Gallix is glad to oblige Mr. Peppers's request. Against his first instinct, he is growing more and more invested in the work of the Pathfinder Society. Certainly there would be plenty of opportunities to make some good money out of the venture, but at least he could learn something new in the offing.
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Other than the lizardfolk's morning stars, Gallix finds a few javelins on the bodies. His investigation of the corpses reveals similar weak spots and anatomy as the previously defeated creatures.
D's investigation of the damp hallway turns up nothing - it appears all of the other guards in this area have perished at the hands of the rebels.
The smallest hint of a grin forms on Uszanriar's face as Gallix offers her additional equipment. She reaches through the cages and hands the mornings stars to the prisoners. Then, one by one, she begins to break the cages' locks, and adds,
"The serpentfolk priests have captured him and I'm sure they've made way for the temple. Some foul magic is likely to be used on him there. It always is when it comes to those disgusting snake faces," she says angrily, smashing each of the cell cages' locks with the bottom of her greatclub.
"With me, comrades. It is not too late to stop them! Gather your strength and valor! For Thassilon!"
Healed through Sirettis' efforts, dozens of rebels run out of the cages to join Uszanriar as she runs towards a long set of stairs leading sharply upwards. The crowd comes to a fast halt as several rebels crash into what appears to be a magical barrier.
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Mr Peppers will make his way to the front and ask the prisoners to step back away from the barrier so that he may study it.
Mr Peppers then casts a spell and begins to study the barrier
Mr Peppers then proceeds to walk around looking at things and muttering, occasionally yelling at an onlooker to back off and give him space.
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Gallix rubs his forehead and curses under his breath as he rises from where he had fallen on his rump after smacking into the barrier. Once he makes it to his feet, he looks the barrier up and down, shrugs, and turns to Sirettis. "You and me both, dear." He then makes his way to the side of the mob traveling with them and takes up a position leaning against a wall. "'Ey D! You got any more o' that minty rub? Wouldn't mind some o' that sweet smell again."
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Gallix simply shrugs and replies, "You know what they say: Old habits die hard. B'sides, haven't got my smokes with me, so a fella's gotta find some way to pass the time, right? Anyway, thanks."
When the container comes to him, he takes a small dab of the salve and applies it lightly to his upper lip as D. had shown him earlier. He breathes deeply and exhales with a satisfied sigh. "Ah..that's the stuff." He winks to D., teasing him for his comment about addiction.
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With the combined efforts of the Azlantian rebels, the magical barrier suddenly shatters into a thousand pieces, much like a wall of glass. You get the feeling the hundreds of other Pathfinders who have entered the time bubble must have had something to do with its sudden destruction. With new vigor, the rebels let out a powerful warcry as they march up the stairs towards the temple.
You ascend the long, winding stairs, the smell of rotting troglodyte corpses and caged humans now leaving your senses, much to your relief. After reaching the surface, you stand outside the entrance to the temple. Wide flagstones cover the plaza, eventually leading to a stepped pyramid. Larger-than-life statues of serpentfolk and snakes line this plaza, alongside pictograph-covered pillars and small cages filled with all manner of furry, chattering creatures.
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Gallix follows the others up the stairs, breathing heavily as they clamber up the last of the steps. "Guh...these stairs might've been the deadliest things we've faced so far," he laughs to the others. As they reach the top of the stairs and arrive in the plaza, he takes a look around at the cages, the pictograms, the whole scene, and grimaces. "Cages. Always more cages with these beasts. Can't say I've ever understood religion much, and this kind has got to be the worst of it. Anyway. Let's see what there is to find out about this place, eh Peppers? Got plenty of notes to make about this place for sure. We are Pathfinders after all."
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"Aha! I think I've figured out what's going on here, its a wall of force. I'm .. " As he starts to speak the wall shatters into a blinding flash of glittery splinters. "I'm sure I can get us through this... is what I was about to say."
"Onward and upward everyone!"
Upon reaching the top Mr Peppers with pull out his handkerchief and wipe his very sweaty brow. "Yes... notes.... not yet though... Anyone with any more water? I gave mine to these unfortunate souls." He says panting heavily and sweatily. He then checks to make sure his armor spell is still active and lets his light spell wink out.
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Investigation of the Slave Pits and the subsequent dialogue with the rebels took the party around minutes, and the trek upwards another minutes.
As D., Gallix, and Sirettis have a look around, they notice something odd about one of the serpent statues. Compared to the other four, it looks as if it hasn't been in place for very long, and it isn't covered in a deep moss as the others are.
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Mr Peppers graciously accepts the water from Corsac. "Thanks. I didn't expect to do a bunch of climbing today and I figured these people could have used it more." Mr Peppers casts a quick spell
"That statue is new, compared to the others."
"Is it now? I'll check to see if it is something magical. Careful it could be dangerous, or maybe just hiding something?"
Mr Peppers wipes his face with his handkerchief then casts a spell to study the statue.
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Mr. Peppers detects the faintest aura of magic about the statue, likely owing to it being magically constructed at some point, and as Sirettis approaches, small cracks begin to form in the head of the serpent. Dust falls from its elbows and knees, and it suddenly springs to life! It stretches its arms out in a display of power, the mouth of the snake opening wide as its body slithers around the cobblestone ground. It reveals its razor sharp fangs in a taunt at Sirettis.
D, Mr. Peppers, Gallix
Blaster, Uesugi
Serpent Statue
Sirettis
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Mr Peppers focuses and concentrates on the statue then his eyebrows raise. "That statue is magical, give me a few more moments and I can glean some more informa..." With that the statue roars to life, threatening to tear Sirettis's wild haired head from her petite shoulders. I know we're in a little bit of a time crunch here but sometimes I think no one ever taught these people to be cautious when going back in time.. it must be an Elven custom.
With that Mr Peppers pulls out his trusty wand and fires off a missile at the snake creature
"Whats with this place and its dead Gods? First Aroden and now Ydersius?"
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"*sigh* You're kidding me, right?" The look of anger and confusion on Gallix's face was unmistakable. The fresh agent had seen and fought against strange, ancient creatures, waded through more snakes than he had ever seen in his life, and joined up with a rebellious mob from a long dead society. Now he is expected to fight against a living statue?! Fine, but I'm taking a week off after this.
He climbs the steps onto the low platform and steps next to the statue. The snake-like head of the statue turns toward him as a sand missile slams into its head, then a missile of magical force from Mr. Peppers doubles it over. Gallix seizes the opportunity to slam his wrapped fist into his opponent's jaw. As his fist connects with Rocky McSnake-head, Gallix thinks back to the harsh training he had endured in his few years studying in the Houses of Perfection. Good thing punching rocks was day one of training. Otherwise this would not be a fun fight.