20051217 Golem02

<H1> Golem Armor: Trail of Carnage </H1>
<H2> Role Call </H2>
<TABLE>
<TR>
 <TD> Mirto </TD>
 <TD> 14th Human Wizard </TD>
 <TD> Mark Whisler </TD>
</TR>
<TR>
 <TD> Thorfinn the Lucky </TD>
 <TD> 12th Human Bard </TD>
 <TD> Jim Yonemura </TD>
</TR>
<TR>
 <TD> Kha'Narek </TD>
 <TD> 10th Githzerai (CL12) Monk </TD>
 <TD> Matt Miller </TD>
</TR>
<TR>
 <TD> Olaf Olafson </TD>
 <TD> 9th Human Cleric </TD>
 <TD> Keith Farrar </TD>
</TR>
<TR>
 <TD> Mercator Julius </TD>
 <TD> ?th Human ? </TD>
 <TD> John Speck </TD>
</TR>
<TR>
 <TD> Estus </TD>
 <TD> 19th/1st Human Cleric/Parthenian Friar </TD>
 <TD> Ray Chiang </TD>
</TR>
<TR>
 <TD> Ladron </TD>
 <TD> 7th Human Thief </TD>
 <TD> Robert Giedt </TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>
<H2> Session Summary </H2>
<H2> Strategic Retreat </H2>
The ghost of Jadoran and the banshee formerly known as Caleata turn their heads towards the party. Estus steps forward and speaks: "Jadoran of Minos. My name is Estus of Apollo. I wish to parlay." The ghost and banshee pause a moment, then reach out and fly towards the group--a horrible wailing sound issuing from them. It is a horrible sound containing the promise of a horrible death.
<B>Round 1:</B> Mirto delays. Estus uses Greater Teleport to get everyone out. He targets the gardens outside the temple of Apollo in Roma.
The party arrives in a lush garden. Nearby, there is a large white building with a large tower. There is a bright light shining from the top of the tower.
<BLOCKQUOTE>
<B>Kha'Narek:</B> Are we in heaven?
<B>Estus:</B> No, we are somewhere safe.
<B>Mirto:</B> (Groans) I feel terrible.
</BLOCKQUOTE>
Estus dismisses the Etherealness spell. In short order, two acolytes spot Estus and his cloak radiating Daylight. They rush over to greet the party.
<BLOCKQUOTE>
<B>Estus:</B> My name is Estus. I'm looking for Father Ramus Helioni. Is he still here?
<B>Acolyte:</B> He's here, but retired. He conducts occasional services, but is now a wise man in residence. (Hurries off)
</BLOCKQUOTE>
As they wait for the acolyte to return, they look around. Roma is an impressive city. As far as the eye can see, there are enormous marble structures, rising as high as 200 feet in the air. In one direction, there appears to be a large fortress or colisseum. To the other direction, there are several large towers. At the same time, there is an urban smell the air. There is the smell of humanity, refuse, and industrial waste.
<BLOCKQUOTE>
<B>Acolyte:</B> (Returns to the party) Father Helioni would like to see you. Please, follow me.
</BLOCKQUOTE>
The party is ushered into the rectory and fairly modest quarters. There is a small table and a modest bed in the room. Sitting at the table is Father Helioni.
<BLOCKQUOTE>
<B>Father Helioni:</B> Ah Estus, it is good to see you.
<B>Estus:</B> Father Helioni, it is good to be home, if only for a little bit.
<B>Father Helioni:</B> You seem to be dressed a bit on the provincial side. Ah yes, you were going in to the diplomatic service out in the frontier.
<B>Estus:</B> Who's in charge of the temple now?
<B>Father Helioni:</B> Father Gaius Maximilian Julius is the new high priest here
<B>Estus:</B> I don't think I've met him.
<B>Father Helioni:</B> Well, he came here after you had finished here.
<B>Estus:</B> That makes sense. When did this change over happen?
<B>Father Helioni:</B> Fairly recently. My retirement was perhaps a bit earlier than I wanted, but not entirely unwarranted.
<B>Estus:</B> (Thinks for a moment) But things are still much the same as when I served here?
<B>Father Helioni:</B> Father Gaius was always a popular priest here. It is hardly surprising that he should end up as high priest.
<B>Estus:</B> Well, I'm glad to see that the temple remains in good hands,
<B>Father Helioni:</B> Well, I would certainly like to hear more of what brought you here.
<B>Estus:</B> First, may I present my companions. (Makes introductions) 
<B>Father Helioni:</B> It is a pleasure to meet you all. However, you all look like you've seen some rough times, as if you've seen a ghost...
<B>Estus:</B> A ghost and a banshee, actually.
<B>Father Helioni:</B> Really? I was speaking metaphorically.
<B>Estus:</B> Yes, if we could impose upon the healing services of the temple here...
<B>Father Helioni:</B> Of course. (Sends word for healers)
<B>Estus:</B> And while I could certainly tell you about our recent adventures, I believe Thorfinn could give a much better presentation than I can...
<B>Father Helioni:</B> (Notices Thorfinn's clothing) Oh, certainly...
<B>Thorfinn:</B> Well, it all started with some information that Estus received about a suit of armor... (Tale Telling 24)
</BLOCKQUOTE>
As Thorfinn tells of the group's current task, Estus offers the Circlet of Blasting in exchange for healing services for the party (3 Restorations per person). Since they are not in any rush, he decides that the temple priests are not needed until the morning.
<BLOCKQUOTE>
<B>Father Helioni:</B> If in fact they are damned souls.
<B>Estus:</B> We were Ethereal
<B>Father Helioni:</B> It's been my experience that asking Apollo for advice more than once is useful. You ask, you learn, you ask again.
<B>Estus:</B> Is there anything I can do for you
<B>Father Helioni:</B> Things have been worse. Things have also been better. I think the only thing that I would like would be to hear more of your adventures.
<B>Estus:</B> I can certainly tell you of the stories I've done. Thorfinn here can tell of other adventures he has been on without me.
<B>Thorfinn:</B> (Tells of recent adventures)
<B>Father Helioni:</B> One comment when finished: I think you are looking in the wrong place. I think that if you can find out the next step in the path of war before your competitor does, you can gain on him. If you continue to look where he looks, you will at best gain a tie. This has the feel of something very large and complex. I don't think it ends so simply as a hidden chamber in a mine. 
<B>Estus:</B> Excellent point.
<B>Father Helioni:</B> Especially when you consider the nature of what it is you are seeking. There should be a longer trail of bodies. If it is a More bodies, more ruined lives, more treachery. And I would also say that you don't want it.<BR /> Think carefully before you take possession of it. It may doom you even before coming near it. It may be best to let your competitor have it and let him fall.<BR /> It may be that you could find the source of the curse and lift it. Then coming into possession of such a powerful artifact.<BR /> Think farther. Think beyond the immediate.<BR /> I understand that you have been on the frontier for a while. I have always been XXX.<BR /> You were never good at the complexities of plots. Your honest makes you an excellent frontier diplomat and a poor city leader. Play to your strengths, use your wisdom. I think you can do more than the fool who races with you. Let him have his moment of glory and fall to the curse, you can do better. (Snores)
</BLOCKQUOTE>
<H2> When in Roma... </H2>
Ladron sees people wearing robes and togas. There are a few military types that are in military finery. It's very cosmopolitan city. There are people from outlandish places.
He goes up the tower. There is a giant river that goes through it and the city is on the coastline of a sea. The sea is to the west of the city, the river runs east-west. The city is well lit and there appear to be globes of light flying through the city (city patrols?)
Ladron checks out the city in the daytime. The ports are filled with all sorts of ships. There appear to be two types of floating ships: one giant gas bag (gnomish?) and the other is magic.
<BLOCKQUOTE>
<B>Thorfinn:</B> There are places where bards gather.
<B>Mercator:</B> By the way, you don't tuck in the toga.
</BLOCKQUOTE>
Thorfinn, Ladron, and Mercator go through the city, looking for information on Jadoran. Thorfinn goes to the sports betting areas (49 Bardic Knowledge check). Asking around, he pieces together the story of Jadoran of Minos:
Most every bard in Roma knows stories of Jadoran's achievements in the arena. Using his winnings, he bought his own freedom. Apparently, he snuck away after the death of his master. And he did in fact, steal the armor. Word came back to his associates to join him in Valor's End. He was going to take over there.
Then the story goes that the Julius family, which has long run that town, got wind of it. They decided he needed to be eliminated. The way they went about it was particularly nasty or "artful" in some Imperial views. Over the course of 3 years, they created (in his mind) the idea that his consort was turning on him and was seeing someone else. And it was particularly artful, becuse they hid it from her the entire time. It was apparently through th euse of devious means, lies, planted evidence, magic, illusions, etc. that cause him to believe that she betrayed him. So, he drowned her in a jealous rage. And the story goes is that he couldn't live with himself.
Interestingly, Thorfinn finds out that Jadoran and Caleata (CAL-EE-AH-TA) had a son. When he found out the truth after murdering her, he ordered his son to kill him rather than kill himself, which he considered cowardly. He wanted his son to grow up as tough as he had. "I just killed your mom. You must kill me. I deserve it." After that, Jadoran efforts to take over the town collapsed. And as far as anyone knows, he is buried with Caleata at Valor's End. And the entire course of events was step by step planned by the Julius family at Valor's End.
Thorfinn also finds out that the son's name was Jord. And the story goes that Jord blamed the armor for the entire thing. Because of it's curse, he vowed to destroy it. And he and the armor left town.
In the process of hearing these stories, Thorfinn also hears stuff about the Golem Armor. It is believed the armor is sentient--that it has a will of its own. It was not created here, but a living thing that was born or created elsewhere and came here.
<BLOCKQUOTE>
<B>Mirto:</B> I was with this Grackle fella and I hear.
<B>Mercator:</B> Are you *sure* you were with them?
</BLOCKQUOTE>
It was a bloodless takeover. The senate is not significant, but a new emperor comes about by unanimous consent.
Kha'Narek goes through town. He overhears a couple of people talking about the Bazaar. The Bazaar goes on for acres. It a huge merchant district.
Olaf finds a local Odin temple in a side district. The temple is mostly
warriors and men-at-arms are among the few worshipers in this town.
There is a recognized standard for being a professional fighter. If you
are qualified as a Guardian, you get to carry arms where you normally can't.
<BLOCKQUOTE>
<B>Priest:</B> There is currently a trade dispute. The faithful have put together a number of "commercial concerns". They gather, buy a boat, elect a captain, and get letters of marque. They sack burn and pillage, under the letter of the law. Lots of money to be made sacking the southern gold fleets.
<B>Priest:</B> Right now, you're in Roma. It's out a large peninsula that sticks out from the south edge of the Imperium. If you sail further east, you'll reach Greka, the other capital of the Imperium.
<B>Olaf:</B> How is power divided?
<B>Priest:</B> It's not.
<B>Olaf:</B> Magical travel then...
<B>Priest:</B> Apparently so. Those who control the Imperium, don't be appeared by geography.
<B>Olaf:</B> Interesting. What about the other provinces?
<B>Priest:</B> Further east is the Orient. 180 years ago it was annexed after a long and bloody war. They already had a hierarchical society.
<B>Olaf:</B> What of the Occident?
<B>Priest:</B> The Occident province was a collection of city states that was blended into one. Their annexation was even longer ago.
<B>Olaf:</B> And the Southlands?
<B>Priest:</B> The Southlands is a large expanse of land, the northern edge of which is fertile agricultural land, then large desert, then jungle. Lots of mineral resources.
</BLOCKQUOTE>
Ladron snoops around asking about the trade between the Plateau and the Imperium. Silks and magical items are the best. Some spices. Highly advanced goods, rare and refined metals. He looks for small, transportable items: 1) any enchanted item, 2) certain spices (but need to find wealthy gourmet), 3) highly manufactured devices (gadgets, clockwork, machines, high-end tools). Ladron finds a lead on finding recipes (using rare spices). The guy is supposedly an expert on a subject. Rumor has it: If you give him three ingredients, he can find you a cookbook.
<BLOCKQUOTE>
<B>Merchant:</B> The trick isn't the spices, it's getting fresh local ingredients. You're from far away. I'll tell you. There's a type of tomato...it won't be found anywhere where you are--just the wrong type of soil.
<B>Merchant:</B> If you're serving people who are from here and far from here, they may pay a lot to get good stuff.
</BLOCKQUOTE>
Ladoran buys 100 recipes for 100 GP. Best places to find spices. Gives ballpark range on price. Appraise 17, Diplomacy 18 gets Ladron 1 GP per 10 meals worth of spices.
The next day, Estus meets with the new high priest at the Temple of Apollo. He is surprised to find that the new high priest seems pretty young. Father Julius might be younger than Estus.
<BLOCKQUOTE>
<B>Father Julius:</B> Good to know you.
<B>Estus:</B> It is good to meet you. And congratulations on your recent elevation. Father Helioni spoke highly of you.
<B>Father Julius:</B> Ah yes, you were taught by Father Helioni. I wish I had the same. 
<B>Estus:</B> Where did you do your novitiate?
<B>Father Julius:</B> I went away to school. My parent sent me far away for seminary.
<B>Estus:</B> Well, I'm sure such learning has served you well.
<B>Father Julius:</B> Our family has had good fortune. And I believe a lot of it has come from our faith.
<B>Estus:</B> Well, I'm sure such learning has served you well.
<B>Father Julius:</B> I hope we can help you and your friends. I understand that things are a bit unsettled out there. Frankly, I think that our church should have a stronger presence in these things. I am pleased to know that you are at the forefront. There are too many that would grow the empire through means appalling to those of us that serve Apollo.
<B>Estus:</B> I am glad to see someone else besides the Marvad family in charge of Imperial affairs for a while.
<B>Father Julius:</B> I think it is a sign of their carelessness really. They think too much in the short term and that costs them eventually. If things should go against them in the unsettled lands, it might cost them the Occident. Not that I would suggest things to cause to be awry. 
<B>Father Julius:</B> Now the interests of teh Empire be in the interests of House Marvad. Should that happen you know what to do.
<B>Estus:</B> Well, I can certainly see that Apollo is well served by your wisdom.
<B>Father Julius:</B> He serves us and we serve him.
<B>Estus:</B> Of course.
<B>Father Julius:</B> By the way, if there's anything we can do for you, please, do consider me your friend. There are things that I can do for you that Father Helioni can no longer do.
<B>Estus:</B> Indeed, your cousin, Mercator has been quite helpful.
<B>Father Julius:</B> Yes, I'm surprised to find you traveling with him.
<B>Estus:</B> I'm impressed by how much he's managed to help so far. He was quite helpful in convincing your uncle to help out in our quest at Valor's End.
<B>Father Julius:</B> I must say that I'm much fonder of Mercator than my Uncle at Valor's End. His techniques leave...repercussions. They might not be as well practiced in affairs of state.
<B>Estus:</B> I'll agree that he lacks the polish of Mercator.
<B>Father Julius:</B> But he's in the mold of his family. But his father was like that and his father before him. But yes, if you have to listen to advice, I'd suggest following Mercator's lead. I would trust his judgement in most matters.
<B>Estus:</B> Yes, I'd say that I'd agree with that.
<B>Father Julius:</B> Do say hello to the Consul for me. We helped each other out some years ago. I believe things on the frontier are in a state of opportunity and if you and the Consul that requires a bit of aid to turn into a good situation, please please do let me know.
<B>Estus:</B> I will certainly do that.
</BLOCKQUOTE>
Estus does a Sending to Jadoran's ghost: "Jadoran of Minos. I am Estus, Priest of Apollo. I offer the possibility for peaceful rest for you and Caleata. Tell me what you require." Jadoran responds: "The corpse of Hadros. The child of Solus Julius. And we are free."
Mercator identifies Solus Julius was Darius' father. Darius and his family are looked at as a necessary "blue collar" arm of the family. The Julius family likes the money associated with the ownership of Valor's End.
<H2> Thorfinn, Gatherer of Information </H2>
Thorfinn goes out again and tries to find information about the son of Jadoran and Caleata. He runs into one bard remembers about a half-minotaur by the name of Jord.
<BLOCKQUOTE>
<B>Bard:</B> I'm pretty sure there's a seer that adventurer's go to sometimes. It was one of the shrines down one of the back alley temples...some Norse, or southern god. Isis, I think.<BR /> Just go there and ask for the seer. I've gone to that seer before and I'm pretty sure that the name Jord came up as one of her former clients.
</BLOCKQUOTE>
Thorfinn also finds out some other information about the name "Hadros".
<BLOCKQUOTE>
<B>Another Bard:</B> There was a Hadros who wasn't associated with Jadoran, but one bard mentions that there was the name of a councilor that old Solus used to keep around. Yeah, Solus Julius had a councilor named Hadros. Tricky guy. Word was that he never wore his actual appearance. Really good with tricks. Could fool the eye and the mind. Served Solus, but doesn't serve the family there anymore.
<B>Thorfinn:</B> Would he still be alive? 
<B>Bard:</B> He never wore his own appearance, so no one knows for sure who or what he was. He might still be alive.
<B>Thorfinn:</B> (Continues asking questions about creatures similar to tied in to the Golem Armor)
</BLOCKQUOTE>
Given Thorfinn's information, the party follows up by visiting the Seer at Temple of Isis.
<BLOCKQUOTE>
<B>Estus:</B> I seek someone who came to see you. His name was Jord.
<B>Seer:</B> The Tortured Half-Blood
<B>Estus:</B> What can you tell use about him or what can you tell us you told him. And what would it cost us to get that information?
<B>Seer:</B> Information has it's own price.
<B>Estus:</B> I see. And what did he ask you?
<B>Seer:</B> He asked me where a thing of great power could be destroy. I told him the Pit of Living Flame.
</BLOCKQUOTE>
Thorfinn identifies the Pit. It shows up as a lot of mythologies as the home of the Fire God. It's actually in the northern end of the Parapets. It's a volcano and the tales of it includes stories of fire that walks, spirits of flame, a great demon, at least three fire gods.
<BLOCKQUOTE>
<B>Estus:</B> When did you meet with him?
<B>Seer:</B> While he lived. Just as I meet with you. While you live.
<B>Seer:</B> Knowledge carries it's own price. He paid his.
<B>Thorfinn:</B> So, he didn't pay you?
<B>Seer:</B> What price is the knowledge you seek? That depends on what you do with it.
<B>Thorfinn:</B> How do you mean? 
<B>Seer:</B> What he chose to do with what I told him killed him. What will you do with what I tell you? Will it kill you?
<B>Thorfinn:</B> Well, I don't know if it will end in our demise. But we seek to keep a cursed item from a man that would keep a man from war.
<B>Seer:</B> That sounds expensive. If you find out what you need to know to do what you say. I hope you will get something of value for what you will pay.
<B>Thorfinn:</B> Me too.
<B>Thorfinn:</B> We have been told that the item we seek has its own sentience and may come from another plane. And think that we may keep it from the Myrmidon is to return it from whence it came. Would you be able to help us determine this?
<B>Seer:</B> Some things are difficult to divine. Perhaps because it makes the voyage, it wishes to continue the voyage.
<B>Thorfinn:</B> Well...
<B>Seer:</B> It may be that it travels for a reason or purpose.
<B>Thorfinn:</B> Can you divine how it came to our plane?
<B>Seer:</B> I know not of what you speak?
<B>Thorfinn:</B> Do you know if Jord died at the Pit of Living Flame?
<B>Seer:</B> The knowledge I gave him resulted in his death. The specifics are not important.
<B>Thorfinn:</B> You've heard of the Golem Armor and it's reputed curse?
<B>Seer:</B> Most curses, if believed, are real.
<B>Thorfinn:</B> If you have knowledge of whence it came, I'd greatly appreciate it. Or direct me to someone who would know more?
<B>Seer:</B> Specifics and mundanities are your province. You know much. Certainly enough to act.
<B>Thorfinn:</B> What context did you mention Jord
<B>Seer:</B> Someone asked the price of knowledge? He is a good example...
</BLOCKQUOTE>
The rest of the party goes to the Bazaar. 
<BLOCKQUOTE>
<B>Mercator:</B> You might want to watch yourselves. My Stone of Alarm is
 missing.
</BLOCKQUOTE>
With all the information gathering Estus feels sufficiently confident to enough questions using Commune.
<OL>
<LI> Did Jord successfully take the Golem Armor to the Pit of Living Flame? Yes
<LI> Did Jord destroy the Golem Armor? No
<LI> Is the Golem Armor still at the Pit of Living Flame? Yes
<LI> Did someone else take possession of the Golem Armor from Jord? Yes
<LI> Is the Golem Armor currently in the possession of a living creature? Yes
<LI> Will I be able to successfully negotiate to get the Golem Armor from it's current possessor? Uncertain
<LI> Is there a curse on the Golem Armor? No
<LI> Is there a creature associated with the treachery that occurs with the Golem Armor? Yes
<LI> Is the Golem Armor itself sentient? Yes
<LI> Can the sentience of the Golem Armor control the wearer of the Golem Armor? No
<LI> Is the sentience the cause of the treachery associated with the armor? Yes
<LI> Can the sentience communicate with other entities besides the wearer of the armor? Yes
<LI> Can the Golem Armor be destroyed by throwing it into the Pit of Living Flame? No
<LI> Can the sentience of the Golem Armor be removed without destroying the other powers of the armor?
<LI> If the wearer of the Golem Armor chooses a purpose that conflicts with the sentience in the Golem Armor, will the sentience seek a new owner? Uncertain
<LI> Does the sentience in the Golem Armor have it's own goals? Yes
<LI> Are any of the goals in the sentience in the Golem Armor evil? Yes
<LI> Is the sentience of the Golem Armor amenable to serving the cause of Good? Yes
</OL>
Unasked questions. Perhaps save for followup.
<UL>
<LI> Is the source of the curse on the Golem Armor a spell or spell-like effect?
<LI> Is the source of the curse on the Golem Armor of divine origin?
<LI> Can the curse on the Golem Armor be removed by a regular Miracle?
<LI> Can the curse on the Golem Armor be removed by the most powerful of Miracle?
<LI> Will destroying the Golem Armor prevent the curse from affecting the owner?
<LI> Is Hadros is still alive?
<LI> Is Hadros human?
<LI> Is Hadros living in the Imperium?
<LI> Is Hadros on the Prime Material Plane?
<LI> Does Darius know of his father's actions in Jadoran's death?
<LI> Does Darius know the location of Hadros?
</UL>
<H2> The Pit of Living Flame </H2>
Greenhill is the nearest town to the Pit of Living Flame. About within five or ten miles. The party eats the Heroes' Feast. Then, Estus casts Mass Resist Energy on the party, then teleports the party to just south of town. The party ends up in a sheep pasture.
They decide to head to town to look for people. Much of the pasture is occupied by sheep.
<BLOCKQUOTE>
<B>Villager:</B> You wanna go where?
<B>Thorfinn:</B> It's dangerous up there?
<B>Villager:</B> It's called the Pit of Living Flame. The fire up there walks around.
<B>Thorfinn:</B> Really? Ever have any trouble with it?
<B>Villager:</B> Every once in a while, it eats a few sheep.
<B>Thorfinn:</B> Did a fella named Jord come by?
<B>Villagers:</B> (Everyone talks around. No one knows)
<B>Villager:</B> But if he knew where he was going I don't know why he stopped here.
<B>Villager:</B> You said don't go stirring stuff up. Last we heard, he might have stirred things up. Anything big happen recently?
<B>Other Villager:</B> Nope
<B>Thorfinn:</B> When was the last time?
<B>Villager:</B> The last feeding was a week and a half ago? And that was a spectacle. That was nothing big. That happens all the time.
<B>Villager:</B> If you want to go look, I would be sneaky and I wouldn't stay long.
<B>Thorfinn:</B> When was the last
<B>Villager:</B> Once in a while we get folks who look much like you guys and they want to go defeat the "spirit of fire" and "glory" and they don't come back.
<B>Villager:</B> The "Spirit of Fire" comes out every once in a while and eats the sheep.
<B>Mirto:</B> What's it look like?
<B>Villager:</B> It takes different forms. Sometimes it comes flying out of the skies. Just a coil of flame. It's pretty fun. We bring the kids out to watch.
<B>Villager:</B> Now that we don't mind losing the sheep. Been that way now for over 120 years now. That was the last time we sent out a knight to take care of it.
<B>Thorfinn:</B> What was the mayor's name?
<B>Villager:</B> He was a Julius. Can't remember his name right now...
<B>Villager:</B> Well, we're not a Julius town any more.
<B>Thorfinn:</B> Did you ever hear of a guy named Hadros, associated with the Julius family?
<B>Villager:</B> (Thinks) Can't say that I have...
</BLOCKQUOTE>
This end of the range appears to be Volcanic. Some have grown over. Further and further northe, they become more active. We see some smoke and smell sulfur. There are bubbling mud pits and various hot springs. Pretty soon, there is a huge mountain that looks like it's top is blown off. There appear to be active patches of lava down inside the crater. There appear to be puffs of flammable gasses from time to time.
Lardon and Mercator sees something swimming in the lava. It appears to be really huge, much like a boulder that swims in the lava. Occasionally there is a burst of flame that lingers before it dissipates.
Estus casts Locate Object and scans around. He finds
Then the party gathers, they cast Etherealness and they walk through towards the direction of the Golem Armor.
As they move around, something big passes through or nearby the party and then disappears. No one is sure what they just saw, although they guess it is the Spirit of Fire that the villagers mentioned.
The area that the party is in, there appears to be a larger pocket of air. The party drifts down that direction. It appears to be a large stable pocket of air (passing through several feet of stone). Also, they get the sense that the rock isn't entirely natural--it appears to be perfect spherical. The chamber appears to be a couple hundred feet in diameter.
Suspended in air in the center of the chamber is another sphere that appears to be 40 feet in diameter. The party appears to be having trouble seeing inside it. As they get closer, it gets easier. Inside there are a number of distinct shape. Rectangular, amorphous shapes, piled up things. Things that look like flowing cloth or draped things. Some stick like shapes.
2 Auguries
Enter inner sphere and turn solid: Woe
Enter inner sphere and stay ethereal: Uncertain
The party walks around the larger sphere. As they move around, they spot some partially substantial entities that are made of fire. There appear to be about four and moving in three dimensions.
Mirto casts Fly on himself and Thorfinn casts Invisibility. Mirto casts Clairvoyance to see in the inside of the sphere. Inside, is a bunch of platinum stamped with kingdoms that fallen long ago. Ornate chests that themselves would be works of art. There are the hilts of gem encrusted weapons. Silk embroidered clothing and cloaks. Hollowed out diamonds. Crystal vials. There appears to be an interesting depression in the surface in the pile of loot (possibly an invisible something resting there--a Gargantuan sized depression).
The party discusses. There is a tale of a dragon that befriended an elemental prince of fire. The story goes that in the constant battles in the territories for the elemental plane of fire. One prince elemental prince asked for the help of a dragon named Rageflame. That dragon's intervention tipped the balance, tipping the scales for that elemental lord. Since that moment, Rageflame learned to do some amazing things with fire from the plane, including the power to imbue his breath with life (creating elemental servants).
Estus casts a Divination with the goal of keeping the armor out of the hands of the Imperium. Using the Deck of Fate, he gets:
<OL>
<LI> 4 of Coins: Indicates greedy, misery, grasping entity
<LI> 3 of Wands: Apply towards a negotiation
<LI> Knight of Coins: Apply towards a methodical planning activity
<LI> King of Swords: Point to commanding presence with use of force
<LI> Inverted 6 of Cups: Indicates frustration
</OL>
Estus' does a Sending to contact the dragon: " Mighty Rageflame. I am Estus, Priest of Apollo. Please tell me what you would accept in exchange for the Golem Armor. Will contact you tomorrow." Rageflame's response is: " You're an audacious one. I believe I'll come visit you."
Estus tells the party the dragon is arriving and immediately runs out of the hotel room. Kha'Narek follows him. As he runs down the stairs, Estus feels the prickly feeling of a scrying spell, but avoids it (rolls 18 for Will Save). He continues running with Kha'Narek out of town.
Estus receives a sending: "You're very interesting. Tell me where you are and we'll talk." Estus responds: "Will meet you in the pasture outside of town." Estus grabs Kha'Narek and teleports to the sheep pasture. From outside the town, they hear the warnings bells go off in the town. There are children running outside shouting: "It's here! It's here!" Several villagers come out and look towards the sky.
As they wait, Estus casts Protection from Energy (Fire) on Kha'Narek and they casts an Antilife Shell. Meanwhile, near the town, a ball of fire falls into a sheep pasture. It burns two sheep and then flies back into the air. As the villagers gawk at the pyrotechnics, something heavy hits the ground about 20 feet behind where Estus and Kha'Narek stand.
As they turn around, they see that there a man standing. The footprints of the man are about a foot deep.
<BLOCKQUOTE>
<B>Man:</B> Don't see any need to scare 'em.
<B>Estus:</B> Mighty Rageflame, it is good to meet you.
<B>Rageflame:</B> Indeed.
<B>Estus:</B> It is my understanding that you may have come into possession of a suit of armor recently known as the Golem Armor.
<B>Rageflame:</B> So, you do know that it's mine. 
<B>Estus:</B> If you lay claim to the armor, I do not dispute it.
<B>Rageflame:</B> Sometimes foolish adventurers come seeking my lair. They always end up paying tribute.
<B>Estus:</B> I see. What is standard tribute?
<B>Rageflame:</B> Everything.
<B>Estus:</B> I had understood that you came into possession of the Golem Armor recently.
<B>Rageflame:</B> Funny, that you want only the one thing, It's not even my best.
<B>Estus:</B> It is my goal to prevent this item from falling into certain undesirable hands.
<B>Rageflame:</B> Who else seeks it?
<B>Estus:</B> A mercenary soldier from the Imperium--Centurion Sogoros. He is also called the Myrmidon by some.
<B>Rageflame:</B> So, he doesn't know I'm in his way yet.
<B>Estus:</B> No, he is still searching for the armor at Valor's End.
<B>Rageflame:</B> So, if kill I him now .
<B>Estus:</B> True, but he has powerful allies. They may bring him back to continue his quest.
<B>Rageflame:</B> No one who comes to my lair ever comes back.
<B>Estus:</B> Well, I had to make that clear.
<B>Rageflame:</B> Apollo priest. Your kind don't lie?
<B>Estus:</B> I have not lied to you about this. I am willing to subject myself to any magical testing.
<B>Rageflame:</B> So, I will kill this man for you. Then, you and your allies will leave me alone.
<B>Estus:</B> I agree to those terms.
<B>Rageflame:</B> If any other come looking for me, I will ask them if any of them were told by you. If they say yes, I will come for you.
<B>Estus:</B> That is understood.
</BLOCKQUOTE>
Rageflame jumps straight into the air. As the figure goes higher and higher into the air, it transforms into a large winged creature and flies off.
<BLOCKQUOTE>
<B>Kha'Narek:</B> I'm quite proud of the way you handled that. I think you've accomplished your goal at the price of damning one man.
<B>Estus:</B> I have to say that I have to declare myself quite satisfied with the results.
</BLOCKQUOTE>
Retroactive Sense Motive roll for Estus (gets 35). In some small way, Estus thinks that Rageflame might have been afraid of him. It's possible that the dragon may have been concerned since Estus managed to avoid his scrying and since he didn't show fear upon meeting him.
<H2> Foes Fought </H2>
<P>
Rageflame
</P>
<P>
<B>Base Experience:</B> Deferred
</P>