Leaving the campsite, the party follow a trail down the mountain, returning to a low pass altitude zone with the aid of the magic of Aedit protecting them from the rigors of the desert.
The narrow and sinuous path down the mountain limits visibility, so the party only spot their quarry just as the you reach the end of the trail.
Kafar and Nefti upon spotting you break into a run attempting to get ahead of you.
Spoiler:
Due to the twisting pathway, severe winds, and airborne sand, it is virtually impossible to target any creature more than two squares away; you may catch glimpses of Kafar and Nefti further away, helping them to gauge their progress during your chase, but the range of most attacks is limited. This feature also limits the effective range of accurate teleportation like dimension door. Finally, the severe winds cause a flying creature to take a –4 penalty on checks to avoid obstacles, resulting in a net +6 bonus on checks to avoid obstacles for flying creatures instead of the normal +10 bonus.
The party starts in the High Ground Square.
Refer to Map sent via Email.
Once her companions all reach the steep slope, Kazumi reaches out and touches her companions, conjuring a dimensional door way that she brings them through to appear in front of their quarry.
I use the spell ability granted by divine source to cast dimension door and jump everyone 2 squares to reach the targets.
The party manages to make it past to Kaede who waits patiently on his side when he blinks and brings them over to where Kafar and Nefti are caught off guard at this surprising turn of events.
Kazumi lowers her bow, raises her hand in greeting and says,"Well met. Now now, don't panic. We are here in peace, but you ran before we could start our greeting. Let us speak and perhaps we can work out something that benefits everyone."
Burn 1 mythic point to use Assured Skill Aid Another Diplomacy 1:1d20 + 5 + 5 ⇒ (1) + 5 + 5 = 11 Aid Another Diplomacy 2:1d20 + 5 + 5 ⇒ (15) + 5 + 5 = 25
Kafar and Nefti raises eyebrows as they glance at each other, their weapons are still up though they make no attempts at attacking as they study the others.
Aedit casts Moment of Greatness before stepping through the D door. He steps through, assesses the situation and addresses the pair, "There is no need for violence, and I promise not to hurt you unless you make the first move. We are Pathfinders and perhaps we can work together and achieve our objective together."
Diplomacy take 10, + 10 Natural Divination, +8 Legalistic (with MoG), +13 Diplomacy +2 Aid Another=43
Kafar and Nefti exchange nods, it's obvious that they're weary and seem weakened somehow.
"We can tell you how to get to the Sanctum of Sages if you'll let us go." Kafar offers.
"We can also tell you about the bell of obedience." Nefti speaks immediately after Kafar as he waggles his fingers.
Taking out her wand, she approaches and says, "You both seem to be hurt, I can try to help."
After healing them, she continues, "I'm not really interested in the bell of obedience, but more in gems and such like. Perhaps something along the lines of a Topaz? Would you tell us more of it and where we can find it?"
[OOC] Can we confirm what attitude they are no after the diplomacy check from Aedit? Helpful or Friendly? [OOC]
Heal check: Heal:1d20 + 5 ⇒ (17) + 5 = 22
And Aid Anothers on Nihilin's Sense motive:
Sense Motive:1d20 + 7 ⇒ (6) + 7 = 13
Aedit casts Detect Magic and scans the both of them.
Know Arcana take 10=20
Are they carrying the sage gems?
"Kasumi, I don't think they're hurt... they seem to be cursed by something they are carrying. For their own safety, we may have to isolate them from the cursed object. Could you gentlemen put all your possessions, including clothes over here? We have to be sure- this is no laughing matter." Aedit says in a serious manner.
Bluff take 10=24
Misfortune any opposed Sense Motive roll of 18 or above from Kafar.
As of after check they are friendly then the offer of healing to helpful.
Nihilin is able to see that the two are well practiced in secret messages owing to the fact that these two have being working together for years.
Kazumi after offering to heal their wounds and treat them discover that the 2 had suffered some sort of disease infected by bites.
"We kind of sold it to other buyers and we have the transactions to prove it." Kafra begins as Nefti brings out several documents. The buyer seems to be a Angvar Branmaz. The documents detail sales of both the topaz and Emerald Gem to the same buyer however at closer glance, the documents while similar have a great difference in price, enough to purchase land and a title.
Knowledge (Local):
You recognize Angvar Branmaz as one of Grandmaster Torch’s aliases.
Aedit on the other hand, while the men are being healed by kazumi, swiftly searches their belongings and the men, finding a Topaz gem. Upn handling it, it flares out and a feeling of greetings echoes within Aedit.
While all this is being done Amenopheus catches up and inquires as to how you have fared. The Sapphire Sage seems exhausted, and although any wounds he may have sustained have been healed, his clothing is scorched and torn.
"I see that you have fared much better than myself and none the worse for the wear. I also see that you have caught up with our two miscreants. Are they with us?"
Kafra protests at the accusation with Nefti backing him up.
"Well, we seem to have handled the situation without any bloodshed." Kazumi replies Amenopheus.
"Gentlemen," she turns to address Kafar and Nefti, "these documents seems to indicate a great price difference. Surely you are not planning on absconding with the purchases? If you are, it would be safer if you sought out the protection of another... society which would be more willing to support and look after it's members. Would you be interested to join the Pathfinder Society if we offered you the chance to?"
Do we need any more Diplomacy checks or was the check Aedit did earlier already enough?
Kafar and Nefti share glances and in that brief moment, a conversation is started and finished.
"In truth , we intended to give the Apis the cost in gold with the false document and keep the remaining difference. However my partner here thinks that your offer is good and that we should aid you from here on to show our accptance of your offer." Kafar explains.
When you're ready to go, the party will start at B1
The Sanctum of the Sages is an extensive underground complex set into the side of a mountain and veiled by illusions. The ceiling is 10 feet high, and the walls and floors are hewn stone. Amenopheus’s damaged sapphire gem leaves him with only fragmented memories of this area.
Behind the seamless illusion of a rock wall lies the mountain pass to the Sanctum of the Sages. Beautifully engraved columns support the ornate entablature topped by a wide tapered cornice. The style hearkens back to Osirion’s golden age, and the impeccable design and craftsmanship lives up to the standards set by the ancient dynasties. A short flight of stairs ascends to stone door in the mountain.
Water gurgles in fountains set at either end of this crescent-shaped chamber. Fourteen columns support the vaulted ceiling, and the walls are polished to a smooth finish that reflects and scatters any light that shines in from outside. Spouts in the wall replace any water removed from the fountain, replicating the effects of a decanter of endless water.
Amenopheus explains with his limited knowledge that much of the sanctum is sealed to anyone not of the order of the Jeweled Sages, so this room provides pilgrims and petitioners a safe place to take shelter until a sage might acknowledge them.
This chamber’s floor angles upward as it meets the walls, which in turn angle inward like those of a pyramid, creating a space shaped like a cut diamond. The walls are smooth and somewhat transparent, like foggy quartz, save for where three opaque doors stand to the north, east, and west. In the center of the room, a clear 5-foot diameter crystal hovers a short distances from the floor and spins slowly.
Amenopheus recognizes this crystal as a gatekeeper built to prevent non-sages from traveling deeper into the sanctum. He presents himself as the Sapphire Sage and announces that he seeks the Diamond Sage. The crystal briefly shows an image of a Garundi man walking toward the north door in the room, then a small, keyshaped sliver breaks off of the crystal. Amenopheus nods, picks up the key, and tells the party that the north door will lead them onward; it opens as he approaches.
"You'll have to introduce yourself and state your intentions." Amenopheus explains as he pases through and waits.
Kafar and Nefti opts to stay where they are stating that they'll stay here.
Kazumi steps forward and introduces herself as instructed by Amenopheus. "Greetings Sages of Old, I am Kazumi, a Pathfinder field agent. My purpose here is to accompany the Sapphire Sage, Amenopheus, in search of his counterpart, the Diamond Sage."
She then attempts to walk forward if the door opens.
The crystal lets all of you through when you declare your yourselves.
Two curved ramps ascend gently from one end of this semicircular room toward its northwest entrance. More than a dozen statues line the intricately painted walls, and all face toward an immense crystal that projects from the southeast wall. The statues are carved in the Osiran fashion, some bearing the heads of animals, and many holding objects like staves, ankhs, oil lamps, and scepters in their supple marble hands. Four engravings in the likeness of gemstones are set into shallow circular recesses in the floor arrayed before the huge jewel.
Knowledge (religion) DC 15:
You identify one of these figures as Nethys depicted in an archaic style; exceeding this check by 5 or more identifies the others as Ptah, the ancient Osirian god of architecture and inventions, and Thoth, the god of wisdom and writing
Perception DC 15:
You identify one figure that appears in several illustrations and that looks remarkably like Amenopheus.
Amenopheus attempts to use the key to open the door but the door flashes with blinding light. When the light fades, Amenopheus is trapped within a crystalline prism like an insect sealed in amber, and the four oil lamps held by the statues have lit with bright white light. At the same time, a spoken message in Ancient Osiriani echoes through the room: “As the light aligns, so too do the sages stand.”
Kazumi considers the four oil lamps and the statues holding them as well as the paintings on the wall, wondering if there is going to be any connection among them.
Using Assured Skill for the skill checks. Apply knowledge checks as relevant if required. Perception 1:1d20 + 8 + 5 ⇒ (7) + 8 + 5 = 20 Perception 2:1d20 + 8 + 5 ⇒ (18) + 8 + 5 = 31
Aedit isnt sure what is happening, but he intends to find out!
Knowledge Arcana take 10= 20
KNowledge Engineering take 10=20
Knowledge History take 10=20
Knowledge Nature take 10=20
Appraise take10=20
Perception:1d20 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 2 = 15
Kazumi's quick thinking figures out the riddle of the oil lamps and the others follow swiftly to place the lamps in the correct order of the rainbow at the correct statues as the doors open to reveal two impressive golems carved with ancient sigils and armed with quarterstaff. They bear on the them the symbols earlier identified as Nethys and Ptah.
Just as they advanced on the party, the last lamp is placed and silently they turn back to where they were resting closing the doors behind them as they grind slowly back to their ancient rest.
Amenopheus is freed from his crystal prison.
"I commend you loyal pathfinders on your incredible resourcefulness. It is indeed a great asset to find that you are all individuals of great talents and it is my good fortune to have you at my side this day."
As you all exit via the newly bisected crystalline door with ease.
The statues animate for a moment to pass the lamps back to their starting positions, resetting the puzzle for the next visitor.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
A broad, simple, flat-topped column of sandstone rises from a deep pit in this circular, domed chamber with a white tiled floor. Though no wind can be felt, particles of sand slowly blow around the pit as if circulated by a lazy breeze, their movement creating a soft, rasping susurrus.
The only occupant of this room is a Garundi woman bedecked in the style of an Osirian noblewoman.
She greets Amenopheus and all of you, proclaiming, “Welcome home,” with a warm smile.
"I am Tahonikepsu, the Diamond Sage and I commend you on your achievements."
The 'Debate':
Amenopheus is cordial but cautious as he questions the Diamond Sage’s decision to remain hidden for so long, and he speculates how much more they might have accomplished in recent years had they met sooner. He voices his desire to rebuild the Jeweled Sages—a goal that he and Tahonikepsu share; however, despite this common ground, the two disagree on many nuances.
First, they disagree about the true cause of the Jeweled Sages’ destruction, which evolves into a disagreement about the lost order’s hierarchy. Amenopheus interprets the collapse of the Jeweled Sages as an unfortunate accident driven by outside forces, namely the invasion of Osirion by the Kelish thousands of years ago. Had it not been for this calamity, the Jeweled Sages would have continued to thrive. To Tahonikepsu, the invasion and subsequent purge of the Jeweled Sages reflects a critical weakness in the organization. She posits that, spread out and without a strong leader, the order could not respond quickly and effectively to a new threat. Amenopheus defends the order’s egalitarian organization structure as a key source of strength, allowing each member to act independently when needed. The Diamond Sage retorts that without consistent, decisive leadership, the Jeweled Sages will always be vulnerable and disorganized whenever a new threat strikes.
Second, the two sages disagree on how to rebuild the organization. Both accept that they will need to recover additional sage jewels and recruit new prospective sages. Amenopheus believes that the next generation of sages must be chosen from among the most learned scholars. Not only does this match the founding principles of the organization, but he theorizes that anything less than a well-trained mind would be unable to harness the millennia of memories within each sage jewel. To Tahonikepsu, the thought of populating the Jeweled Sages with cloistered academics might allow for easier retention of historic facts but would undermine the sages’ ability to actually use their knowledge to better the world. The Diamond Sage would rather recruit a generation of active and innovative sages who could act as advisors to powerful leaders, read the current events to predict future decisions, and participate in making history rather than simply recording it.
Finally, both sages have their doubts about each other, no matter how politely they engage in the discourse. From Tahonikepsu’s perspective, despite the Sapphire Sage’s talents, he has lost the trust of Osirion’s ruler. Although his failure is not wholly his fault, the incident may become a liability as the Jeweled Sages attempt to reclaim their place in Osirion. She also believes that Amenopheus’s insistence on embracing a failed model for the Jeweled Sages invites history to repeat itself. On the other hand, Amenopheus is skeptical about Tahonikepsu, for only moments ago she was a complete stranger to him and the Pathfinders. He has served faithfully as the Osirion faction leader for years. Ceding leadership of the restored Jeweled Sages to her seems
like an irresponsible gambit, particularly when nobody knows of her qualifications, background, or motives. If presented with such a challenge, Tahonikepsu takes a step back and reverts to her natural, draconic form. “I present my credentials,” she retorts. “Now we are strangers no more.” If none of the PCs can identify her species, she explains that her kind is dedicated to guarding history and time itself. By combining her longevity, cunning, and patience with the ambitions of a millenniaold society of sages, the Jeweled Sages are certain to thrive.
In summary, Amenopheus wishes to recreate the Jeweled Sages as they were in ages past, whereas Tahonikepsu seeks innovation. Seeing that they have reached an impasse, one of the two (likely the one who seems to have the PCs’ support) invokes a Convocation of Sages, an old
tradition of the sages to decide the organization’s future with a vote. Each Jeweled Sage receives one vote, though because the PCs represent the Ruby Sage as a group, each of them receives only a fraction of her vote. Understandably, Amenopheus and Tahonikepsu cast their votes in favor of their own policies.
Aedit considers the merits of the points raised by both parties and decides that Amenopheus' proven loyalty to the Society and track record bodes well. He votes in favour of Amenopheus.
The votes has being casted and they're all in favor of Amenopheus.
Debating their respective philosophical merits has helped the two sages develop respect for one another, and even though each is certain his or her strategy is the better choice, they both agree that they would be willing to work together in the future and honor the winner’s victory.
With the discovery of another Jeweled Sage and the recovery of a third sage jewel, the party have helped Amenopheus recreate the lost Osirian order.
Both he and Tahonikepsu agree that the sages shall work with the Pathfinder Society toward their mutual benefit, and they aid the party in returning to Eto without further conflict.
The Ruby Sage’s power fades from them as they depart the Pillars of the Sun. Amenopheus is uncertain as to whether or not the ruby sage jewel can be restored, but he begins researching the possibility soon.
Kafar and Nefti joins the Pathfinder Society, they are able to give their new patrons ciphers and secrets known only to the Aspis Consortium, though the Society’s leadership are cautious about trusting the two turncoats too much. No doubt such a development would anger the Aspis Consortium and potentially invite special reprisals later.
The loss of the emerald sage jewel—ostensibly to Grandmaster Torch, a known enemy of the Society— weighs heavily on Amenopheus, and he sends his assurances to his Pathfinder allies that the Jeweled Sages will find Torch and recover their stolen property. What mischief the scarred information broker can cause with such an artifact in hand haunts the Pathfinder Society for months to come.
Seeing that CL is at work and can't get to a computer, I'm rolling his day job and boon for him. Am waiting replies from the rest. Rylentis Day Job:1d20 + 10 ⇒ (19) + 10 = 29 Boon Chance:1d20 ⇒ 20
