Aegis Tristalt In-Character Mk. II

[Aegis013]

As soon as the Iuramentum fragment comes out of the haversack, it immediately begins to resonate with a powerful energy. The fragment begins to glow and vibrate softly as you each feel a surge of divine, mystical energy swell up in the area. The space around the statue begins to fold and collapse in on itself in a dizzying array of light and color, despite the incredible visual display of the magics at work, there is almost no sound being emitted by the anomaly.

As space crashes into itself like the waves of an endless ocean, the anomaly begins to calm down, eventually reaching a serene stillness. Inside the spacial void which has opened before you are countless stars, as if it were a passage to the far reaches of the universe, however, silhouetted against those stars appears to be a shape, which slowly draws closer. As it approaches, it begins to bathe in a radiant light, revealing itself to be a magnificent, gleaming straight-sword. It comes to rest at the edge of the two connected spaces, as if beckoning to be taken in hand by a worthy hero. The question beckons, who will take the sword in hand?

[whoiam]

"Now *that* is a weapon rack!

Alright, logic time. Of the four of us: Trasil's our best swordsman, but unless I've misunderstood his nature significantly, he's bound to continue using his own sword and can't swap it out for someone else's. Sahael isn't really the weapon-using type. Kasha and I have both had training, but while Kasha uses a scimitar day to day I always preferred the mace... so I think Kasha should take it. Anyone see a flaw in the reasoning?"

[Silver Night]

Kasha

Makes sense to me, though I feel a bit leery about just grabbing a sword that magically popped up. Still, I would add to your logic that if the sword does something unfortunate to me, you are the best one to potentially help me, while I wouldn't bring quite as much skill to bear should something happen to you. I guess we don't have time to dally with elaborate precautions. More pieces to gather and statues to visit. Still, if the sword vaporizes me or something, at least tell people I tried to save the world, yeah? She gives the others a rather thin smile.

In spite of what she said, Kasha still takes her time examining the situation for any traps etc before she goes ahead and reaches for the sword.

[General Patton]

"Huh, wasn't expecting those things to be related.

That is a sound assessment of our capabilities and preferences. Have at it, Kasha." But then Sahael shudders as his trademark paranoid fear overwhelms him. "Wait. There could be other layers of security to this thing. What if you're drawn through into the void? Artifacts have a tendency to be sapient, with rather severe quirks, and judge people harshly. You'll survive most conditions, including vacuum, for several hours. But I don't know if that place is located in the great darkness above or another plane entirely. My collective's reach has greatly expanded, but it is still confined to this plane." He pulls 100 ft of silk rope out of his haversack. "We'll need to secure you."

[Silver Night]

Kasha

Kasha is fine with being secured first.

[Mousedigits]

"
Alright, logic time. Of the four of us: Trasil's our best swordsman, but unless I've misunderstood his nature significantly, he's bound to continue using his own sword and can't swap it out for someone else's."

Well... Not necessarily. I could, potentially, use this sword, if the world depended on it (which it very well might) but I would never choose to use another weapon than my own unless severe consequences followed my not using it. So, Kasha, I guess it's yours.

[General Patton]

Sahael ties the rope around Kasha's torso, looping it several times into an elaborate harness. He takes out some shapesand and solidifies it around the harness to form a solid vest. He ties the other end around himself in a similar manner, measures out the proper distance from the hole in space, bites/claws some hand and footholds into the floor, and then braces himself. He attempts to subconsciously lock up his muscles beyond their normal limits, paralyzed in an unbreakable death grip.

Strength (1d20+3)[20]
Take 10 on Autohypnosis [31]

[Aegis013]

The sword, resting on the edge of the portal, is actually within arm's reach of anyone who wishes to take it. After taking precautionary measures, Kasha takes the sword in hand, as soon as her grip comes to rest on the sword, the spacial anomaly collapses, falling away behind the sword, leaving you standing there, as if nothing happened. Statue still in place, dungeon walls still grimy with sewage remnants.

Spoiler: Kasha only

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As you grip the sword you feel a surge of magical energy pass between you and it, but immediately notice the transference isn't quite perfect. It seems in order to fully call upon the power of this item, you will need to spend one hour attuning yourself to it.

You notice that the Iuramentum fragment is no longer active, and it seems some of the markings of it have changed. It doesn't seem like its power was used up, though. Perhaps it serves another function?

[Silver Night]

Kasha

"Well, not dead yet. And this is certainly some sort of magical sword, although I think I would need to take longer with it to fully understand its potential. It may make sense to stop by the magic mart and see if we can have something done to identify its properties."

Spoiler

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Unless there is anything Kasha can identify? Right now I've got it on my character sheet as 'Magic Sword'.

[General Patton]

There is a loud series of clicks as Sahael unlocks his muscles and shakes some of the soreness out of them.

"I'm pleasantly underwhelmed by how straight-forward that was." He undoes all his unnecessary preparations.

He tries to recall anything pertaining to king Vertis.
Knowledge (History) (1d20+30)[50]

[Aegis013]

Spoiler: Kasha

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Simply holding the item in hand, one thing you can immediately sense is that it is not necessarily a sword. Or more accurately, it is an embodiment of a concept, you suspect that whatever power it may grant may not require actually wielding a sword once a user has attuned to it.

Mechanically this means you can effectively enchant another item with this one, causing this one to become conceptual instead of physical, and using the chosen item as the conduit for the powers granted. What specific powers those may be are unclear, but they are likely going to be oriented around combat and leadership, with a combination of supportive, protective, and offensive capabilities, thematic with a one handed sword style.

Spoiler: Sahael Kn: History

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Vertis is a legend. He was the first human king. There are countless tales of Vertis and the heroes that founded civilization as it is known today. The most major is that he was one the who slew Tyrannus and freed the world from the dragon's clutches, though in all Vertis is a just and good man, a true hero. There are many tellings of many others, though almost all are generally considered to be children's stories advocating good character traits or warning against poor judgement. Most experts decry them as fiction, wives' tales to scare children into obedience or promise them rewards for good behavior, and it's very likely that these tales have become exactly that over the ages: fairy tales.

Now, in close proximity to the statue, and seeing no signs of active traps in the immediate vicinity, you take a moment to read the engraving on the statue, it's written in some strange language, but for some reason you can make out what it says. It reads:

"Long ago, there was a beast so mighty even the gods trembled before its power: Tyrannus, the first dragon. This foul creature grasped the entire world in its evil claws and declared itself lord over all creation. Its reign of terror and authority went unchallenged, as any who turned against the dragon were quickly destroyed. Until a powerful man appeared, wielding a magic sword, the Potentia. This man was Vertis, he had the power to inspire others to follow his lead, and seeing the dragon's evil, resolved to make the situation right. He traveled far and wide to find the dragon's weakness, and as he quested, he was joined by seven other heroes. Finally, they made their way to the creature's lair and fought valiantly with the fate of the world on their shoulders. In the end, Vertis plunged the Potentia, into the beast's heart, slaying it. For his deeds, he was crowned king, and the world prospered under his fair and just rule."

[Silver Night]

Kasha

Kasha relays what she senses about the sword, "So I may or may not be the one best suited to this particular item, and specifically using a sword may not be required. I suppose we will see. Can I see the Iuramentum fragment? The markings look different. Also, we've still got another one don't we? So I suggest we find another statue to try that on."

[General Patton]

Sahael relays everything he knows, as usual.

"It embodies leadership. I feel like I should take it.

For the next statue, I think we should go back to the capital. We can have a word with Convectus about getting this city under control while we're there."

[whoiam]

This time around, Renia can't block her mouth quickly enough, and the giggle escapes unhindered.

"Seriously? You think the best way to decide who embodies leadership is to judge yourself? If you're a great leader, then let those you've lead speak for you."

It's not that Renia thought she was a better candidate (for various reasons, she didn't), so much as she considered the current party to be more of a gathering of equals in which none of them had displayed real leadership over the others. Whearas the other party had a designated leader... who might ultimately be a better bearer. Might.

"Anyway... do I correctly recall you stating that you'd found another statue before meeting me? If so.... well, you've got a location and a second fragment... shouldn't be too hard to decide where we're going next..."

[General Patton]

Sahael matches her giggle with a chuckle. "Um, I think we might've missed a trap. I've clearly been cursed with the inability to imply things. Let me add the non-obvious bits back in.

It embodies leadership. It probably emphasizes the enhancement and support of others. It probably synergizes with my modus operandi. I feel like I should take it.

It's not like an artifact is going to change our group dynamic. It's just another tactical asset for us to leverage. Maybe it's redundant with my abilities and one of you could use it to more effectively share beneficial spells, because frankly, Echoes are expensive. Maybe it's more about inspiring morale by leading the charge into battle, which is more Tras' deal. We'll make a long term decision once we know exactly what it does. In the short term, I've probably got a better chance of it paying off."

[Silver Night]

Kasha

"It matters little to me who carries it, and we won't know who its abilities will best ocmpliment until we know what those abilities are anyway." Kasha offers it to Sahael, "I would suggest that our time in this city has come to an end, unless anyone else has anything they think we need to do. If not I would suggest we stop by the Magic Mart on the way out of town and see if we can find out more about the sword. We do have a decision to make, if we are looking to the statues as the key to saving the world (and that seems likely) then we need to choose which one we should pursue next."

Spoiler

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Statue Locations:

Under Comercia - Sword Acquired
Xanaphia’s lair, eastern desert
Near the Bellicus border
Crater (NW of Comercia)
Forest (SW Comercia)
Mountain Pass (S of Comercia)
Hollow mountain (SE of Comercia)
Capital sewers?


Other points of interest:
Mountain of fire, eastern desert
Dusty Conclave, Northern Desert

"I'd agree that the easiest to target next is likely the one under the capital. We can report on our progress while we are there as well."

[whoiam]

"Research first, use second seems reasonable enough, Kasha. I'll throw my vote behind that approach."

"Of course, if we do let Sahael use it, the next two we find are going to be 'co-operation' and 'terror'. I don't have inside information, just have this feeling that, somewhere, the universe may be having a quiet laugh at us...

Anyway, I've got one Teleport left today. It's probably faster to climb back to the surface than wait for me to prepare another one, so let's make our way back to the magic mart the old-fashioned way. If any of Rory's troops ask, we can tell them the truth - well, some of the truth. That we trailed Cirka into the tunnels, but she activated some magical contingency to escape the tunnels before we could catch up with her. We should probably also give them the code word for the traps before we go - they're going to want to search the tunnels themselves most likely, and it won't hurt to leave on good terms. If nothing else, earning some goodwill from the troops might make confronting Rory two weeks from now a lot less messy."

A post-world-saving Renia seemed to have some definite plans about cleaning up her hometown....

[Silver Night]

Kasha

"We'd best get going, then. We are, after all, up against a bit of a deadline."

[General Patton]

Sahael accepts the artifact and stows it.

"Would it be practical for us to use Legend Lore on the statue before we leave?"

[Silver Night]

Kasha

I would suggest we use it on one of the shards, probably the one that we used here, if we are going to use it. After all, it appears to still have a purpose and it would be nice to know what it is. Does each of them unlock more than one statue? Or is it something else?

[whoiam]

"Do any of you have that? I... think I might be able to work one or two up, but I'd need a lot of incense. And probably an hour."

Spoiler

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Renia doesn't know it as an arcane spell, but it is one of her 6th level cleric domain spells (from the Oracle domain). And wouldn't you know it, I only prepared empty slots in her 6th level Cleric and Domain slots, so she can pull three out if we need them.

Cost is 200gp in focuses (50gp ivory pieces x4) + 250GP of incense per casting.

[Silver Night]

Kasha

So. Start at the Magic Mart and if they aren't any help, we can at least get supplies there.

[Aegis013]

So the group heads up, back tracking their way through the Otyugh Hole. You find your way back to the vertical tunnel and ascend to find the three corpses of the guards slain by the Rust Wyrmling.

Continuing out, you see one guardswoman waiting anxiously by the tunnel through the debris. "Did you locate Cirka? Where are Tribinus and the others?" she inquires.

It seems the other servants have been escorted away, the Conferi have gone too, only this one guardswoman remains. Though it appears that through everything, this structure has lost a lot of its previous magnificence. The atmosphere now seems forlorn, scratches and tears on furniture and walls, with the slightest hint of the smell of iron and blood in the air, almost as if something is amiss. Though everything seems to be as it was when you last passed through.

[Silver Night]

Kasha


"Do any of you sense anything that seems off?"

Spoiler

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Spot: (1d20+21)[29]
Listen: (1d20+21)[22]

As a matter of paranoid course, Kasha will use Greater Invisibility on herself. She keeps See Invisibility running and will start Detecting thoughts on the guardswoman if there isn't some type of immediate violent reaction to her going invisible.

[whoiam]

Renia activates a Detect Magic and glances around the chamber as she answers the guard's question. (She'll also abuse the hell out of her free automatic save vs illusion or disguise spells if there are any active in the scene...)

"We saw her fleeing with a wyrmling. We trailed them down into the tunnels, but she had some magical escape contingency prepared down there, and we didn't manage to catch her before she could use it. I've no idea where she went from there."

Party only: "Of course, they don't need to know that I didn't even bother trying to track her..."

"As to your colleagues, the only ones we saw in the tunnels are those who... remain... in this chamber.

Still, we did at least manage to overhear the passphrase for the traps in the tunnels if you wish to go search for your missing people...?"

[General Patton]

Spot (1d20+28)[30]
Listen (1d20+26)[27]

Sahael scrutinizes the surroundings, with DHI and Tremorsense.

"I don't like this. I think something is about to happen."

[Aegis013]

Spoiler: Spot

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You see nothing you didn't expect to see.

Spoiler: Listen

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You hear nothing you didn't expect to hear.

Spoiler: Sense Motive

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(1d20+10)[29] can't possibly overcome 40, but might've had her get suspicious without Sahael's buff if she rolled a nat 20.

The guardswoman tilts her head quizzically at your enigmatic comment regarding her colleagues.
"I'm surprised you couldn't catch her. I guess you're not all that you've been made out to be. I'm going to look for the others." she goes through the small tunnel in the debris to look for Tribinus and the other two.

(Unless you wish to deal with her further) You continue on to the Magic-Mart, unimpeded. The sphinx does not appear surprised to see you've returned. "Welcome to Magic-Mart."

[General Patton]

"Hello again. What can you tell us about this?"

Sahael pulls out the artifact and sets it on the counter.

[Aegis013]

The sphinx hovers a paw over it as her other paw touches her amulet. She closes her eyes and the amulet begins to emanate a soft glow. After a moment she inquires "May I take this in the back in attempt to fully identify it?" You can hear her purring audibly, which is rather strange.

[General Patton]

Sahael concentrates on Empathy, and tries to gauge what she's up to.

Sense Motive (1d20+33)[52] expending focus on Empathic Monocle.