The next morning, you gather with Itephta and
Aeotsep in the Master’s Room.
"Welcome again and good morning to you all. You did well in the trials yesterday and your accomplishments exceeded our expectations. You are well on your way to true enlightenment."
Itephta continues...
"I am amenable to bequeathing the Sky Key component to
the Pathfinder Society on the condition they provide the
monastery short-term assistance."
His expression turns serious.
“Our monastery is remote and receives little direct aid from
Sothis and the great river cities of Osirion, and this distance
has made us a target for worshippers of Rovagug who recently
became our neighbors. These so-called Doomsday Knights
frequently attack caravans and pilgrims, and we have done what
we can to protect the trails that lead here with the disciples
we have. In fact, one of our own, a respected Ouat named
Bertrag, disappeared several days before you arrived. At this
point I assume he has perished; the cult is known for sacrificing
intelligent creatures."
With an uncomfortable smile and nod to each of you.
“Irori promotes self-perfection, but I do not confuse that with
blind self-reliance when confronted with a true threat. Tar Kuata
can guard travelers or strike at the cult’s heart, but it cannot do
both. With your assistance, we might rid this land of the Rough
Beast’s warriors once and for all.”
Aeotsep pulls three of you aside (Eadie, Khamul, and Arovandeon)
"Due to your successes yesterday, I will offer you the name of Dhiara, the monk fitting our conversation.
Dhiara sometimes sends letters to the monastery, and I offer you her most recent letter."
He hands Eadie a folded parchment.
To my colleagues at Tar Kuata,
No matter the great distance that separates me from the
monastery, every day I fondly remember the humble halls
filled with extraordinary knowledge and mortal potential. I
encourage each of you to strive for excellence and also look
forward to the day you might leave the monastery to test
your skills against worldly challenges. I write this not to
suggest that Tar Kuata restricts our skills, but there are
discoveries one can pursue only beyond its cloistered walls.
My writing supplies are among the last of my humble
belongings left to pack. The people of Iadara have mostly
kindly honored the conclusion of my personal trial against
Tanglebriar, yet even 10 years without rest seems trivial
compared to the struggles of the elves that call this home.
Nonetheless, I have met and exceeded my goal, and it has
driven me to find others who fight against impossible odds.
My contacts in Erages speak of kindred outcasts in a land
called Averaka_a place unfamiliar to me, and one that I am
intent on finding.
My next letter may not arrive for many months. Until
then, always aspire to be greater than you were the day
before, and harness the lessons of the past to realize a
greater future.
Your fellow sister,
Dhiara
|
Corb spends the night practicing chopping wood until he passes out, still only doing adequately at the "breaking the board" part.
~~~
Corb is his regular emphatic self at the proposition of annihilating the Rough threat.
-Posted with Wayfinder
|
The test of arms against Aramaya ended quicker than Arovandeon expected and gives him increased respect for the abilities of his companions. Having done essentially nothing in the fight he offers to heal the monk with a healing infusion, and offers words of respect for having fought such unbalanced odds.
***
At the meeting the next day Arovandeon nods at the mention of the cult. "We have heard of these Doomsday Knights. I for one volunteer to help rid the region of their presence."
***
When Aeotsep takes some of them aside and presents the letter, Arovandeon takes a moment to commit the words to memory before addressing the monk with a bow. "You have the thanks of the Scarab Sages for trusting this knowledge to us. It was our hope that someone like Dhiara might still be here, but a lead is better than a dead end."
|
|
Eadie screws up one side of her face during Itephta’s briefing. “The Doomday Knights (Oohhh, we’re soooo scary!) sound like jumped-up bandits. Abadar tells us what to do with them. Oh, but can you tell us how many there are or what magic they pack? Is their leader an unholy warrior or priest – or a bit of both?”
Eadie accepts the letter from Aeotsep into both of her hands with a bow. After holding it out so Arovandeon and Khamûl can read it as well, she exclaims.
“Wow! Dhiara sounds like a badass who is still down-to-Golarion enough to write letters back home. So COOL! She’d make a good candidate for a jewelled sage, because she’s someone I can relate to.”
Eadie looks up at the others. “I mean Tahonikepsu is obviously powerful and pretty, but she’s so distant it’s hard to get a read on her.”
“Amenopheus just doesn’t get me at all. He like *groans* and gets all judgemental – just ‘cos I can’t count to ten! AND he like says that I like say ‘like’ WAAAAAY too much! What’s up with that?”
Itephta’s request is straightforward:
"Just to be clear, while our monks defend the monastery and the roads, you should destroy the cult of Rovagug. I will try my best to answer your other questions."
He pauses in thought, then continues, looking at Lore first.
“They are a cult of Rovagug led by Tasutek, a priest granted considerable physical strength by his patron. Most wield divine power in one form or another.
The church of Sarenrae warned us of this group, which fled the Dawnflower’s wrath in An and found refuge here."
Back to the group...
“We have tracked the Doomsday Knights to an abandoned mine located more than a day’s travel north of here."
|
|
Eadie exchanges looks with Corbalias. “Their boss might be a warpriest, Corb? Have you fought one of them before?”
The warrior asks “Sister Itephta, do the Rovagugans have any pets? Like scorpions or spiders? They like poisonous desert critters I think.”
Eadie nods at Lore’s comments.
"Day Knights!"
|
|
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
Eadie nods sagely at Corb’s wise words.
“If I was a bettin’ man (and I’m not) … a punter or a man.”
“OR a drinkin’ man … (yes first, no second).” *takes a swig of something nearby* “What was I saying? Oh yeah ...”
“I’d almost wager that you’re willing to fight them Rovagugs, Corb.”
|
Lore pours some brandy for herself and anyone else who wants some... passes them out as requested. "Silly girl, sis... Want another cuppa? Hmmm that makes me wonder if this stuff would be good in tea... I bet it would! Though of course purists of either drink might protest." she giggles at that last thought.
|
|
"Hmmm that makes me wonder if this stuff would be good in tea..."
Eadie takes a cup and scratches her chin thoughtfully. “I’m thinking there’s only one way to be certain, Lore. And that is to TRY IT!”
She *clunks* cups with all of her partaking friends and muses, “Hmm … if we did go through with this experiment, we’d need a guinea pig. Someone strong of heart and keen of wit.”
Eadie thinks for a minute or two and then suddenly *snaps* her fingers. “Hey, I could do it!”
If there are no other questions then, we wish you the blessings of Irori on this mission"
Aeotsep bows
"I also wish you good for and insight in yor upcoming challenges.
As you were successful in finishing the earlier trials
you have earned these gifts to help them combat the enemy cult. ."
He removes his two rings—a ring of climbing and a ring of jumping and hands them to you.
Itephta likewise hands a package to the group containing a phylactery of faithfulness and she also gives you incense of meditation.
"May they serve you well. Until we meet again after your success, Pathfinders!"
The both bow as you head out and they close the monastery doors behind you.
The wind blows dust as you march to the location they indicated to the lost mines over a day away.
|
|
As they journey to the abandoned mine, Eadie sings a marching song that a dwarven miner named Brother Grimdoc taught her on a previous adventure. “Hi Ho! Hi Ho! It’s off to work we go!”
She *whistles* for a while and then stops. “Wow, Lore! We should stop on the approach to the Rovagugs’ lair so you can burn that incense the monks gave you.”
“Can I please have the ring of climbing? I vote Corb for the ring of jumping.”
She turns to the others. “Should we scout the mine in the darkness for sentries or another way in? There might be a … oh, I dunno … ventilation shaft or something?”
|
|
Lore takes the incense with almost reverence and shivers slightly. "I've heard of this before but never actually seen any. It would be an honor to use some before we go in, but it takes 8 hours for it be of use, and the affects last only 24 hours, so we must be sure of our safety for those 8 hours and then move to take on the doomsday knights."
"As for the tea and brandy, Eadie luv... you are on... we will have a little tea party after this mission. Maybe I'll even make some scones to go with it. Deal?"
Approximately 30 miles north of Tar Kuata, the Merotsi
Mines appear to be abandoned.
A weathered wooden sign still stands by the
entrance, warning visitors in Osiriani to “keep out.” The
mine’s adit is also boarded over, though the planks appear
to be loose.
|
|
Arovandeon observes the entrance with a shrewd look. "I propose we set up camp just out of sight and post scouts and sentries while those who can benefit from the incense do so. Once we are ready, I possess an extract that can render myself or one of you invisible so that you might get a look inside the opening without drawing alarm."
|
|
Eadie smiles and nods. “That would be lovely, Lore. Brandy tea, scones and guinea pig! Yum!”
☕☕☕☕
“Yep, I’m good with a rest before we assault the old mine, Aro. I bags first watch with Khamûl!”
From a prone position at the Pathfinder’s camp, Eadie attempts to spy on anything interesting or amiss in front of the adit.
|
|
Arovandeon sits with the others, experiencing the smoke, sketching his companions and taking notes. "Such magics are intriguing. This incense was crafted by holy priests, yet I wonder if there is an alchemical component."
Or if the effect might be duplicated through alchemical means. He thinks to himself, aware that such thoughts are sometimes considered heretical.
***
Once the group is rested and ready, Arovandeon drinks his extract of invisibility and, keeping an eye out for traps, carefully approaches the entrance to the mine.
Arovandeon notices there is steam coming from the mine entrance and some faint horse hoof tracks, mostly covered by blowing sand.
No other movement or signs of occupation or traps can be seen outside.
Moving forward (not sure any of the rest of you can see him)
The air here is acrid but does little beyond irritating
your eyes. Five horses tethered to hooks on the south wall. They seem agitated.
|
|
Arovandeon sits … sketching his companions
Eadie can’t sit still once she realizes Arovandeon is drawing the party members. “Have you drawn me yet, Aro? Can I see? Can I? Can I?”
“Aww … why not? How about now? Huh? Pleeeease!! I won’t say anything … unless you’ve drawn my nose too big … or my chin too pointy. Oh, come on, Aro!”
⚒⚒⚒⚒
Once she hears Arovandeon’s report, Eadie has new respect for the Rough Beast’s Marauders. “They may be evil, but they’re not dumb. I guess the horses are an early warning system. Unless we take some precautions, I’m guessing the horses will make enough noise to let the Doomsday Knights know we’re coming.”
“Hmm … is anyone good at handling animals? Otherwise, I’d suggest a silence spell cast at the ground under the horses, so any noise they make can’t enter the underground workings until we’re well inside. Thoughts?”
|
|
At Corb’s outburst/anecdote, the spot between Eadie’s eyes furrow under her helm as her eyebrows rise.
OOOOOOKAY.
“Didn’t that like … hurt, Corbalias?”
Returning to the matter at hand, Eadie draws her enchanted falchion. “Sounds like a plan, Lore. Unless there are any objections, once the cone of silence descends, I think Corb or I should look around the corner of the mine portal and lead us in. Everyone OK with that?”
|
|
As Corb starts to speak again, far too loudly, Lore casts silence on a small stone... happily silencing corb as well as the party... she walks forward to the boarded up entrance and rolls the stone into the middle of the area occupied by the horses.
She turns around and puts a finger to her lips to indicate that all should be quiet, esp. Corb...
|
|
Corb will enter Stealth Mode, which is incredibly similar to Diplomacy Mode, except his sword is drawn and held in all 4 hands. Disclaimer: Stealth Mode implies no actual use of the Stealth skill or any special means of remaining concealed because hiding and underhanded tactics are for cowards.
-Posted with Wayfinder
The party moves up as Lore casts a spell and a incredible silence surrounds the party...except Corbalias who seems to have a faint but permanent ringing in his ears.
Even with the silence, the horses seem skittish and try to break their tethers.
A distinctive steam permeates the mine, but Arovandeon can tell
the fumes are volcanic in origin and mildly acidic—uncomfortable,
but not harmful. The steam does not obscure sight.
Corbalias and Eadie look around the inside of the cave. *Dim* light from flickering torches can be seen throughout.
This appears to be an upper chamber of the mine proper.
Without moving past the horse, the warriors can see
two main ways to descend to the lower mine levels:
a set of old mine carts to the east, and an elevator to the
west.
The mine carts sit on a double track that descends
down a steep tunnel. Each pair of carts connects to a
pulley assemblage by chains.
The old cargo elevator is currently inoperable due to
several jammed mechanisms.
Eadie and Arovandeon, well illuminated and visible, move towards the carts to inspect them.
You spot something that looks like a spidery creature hiding under the mine carts Arovandeon is inspecting. It seems to be watching your group.
Jonterra, Lore and Khamul are still at the mine entry.
|
|
Eadie touches Arovandeon’s shoulder to stop his progress. She takes a 5’ step backwards so Corb, Lore and Jonty (taller than Lore) can see but not hear her.
If there's time, Eadie will also drink her antitoxin.
She then takes a firm grip of her falchion.
|
|
Corb burgles picks up the backpack with his carry capacity to spare while looking for these 8 Cave Wenches.
-Posted with Wayfinder