The statue of Karzoug leaps from its pedestal towards the party. Fyn quickly hastens his allies, giving them a noticeable edge.
However, the statue let’s out a magical pulse as it advances. The pulse ripples with stone fragments, nullifying the Haste of Barnaby and Fyn. Barnaby picks up his newly-forged weapon, ducks under the statue’s strike, and begins to dish out the damage.
Fyn taps into the Invisibility again, granting Krask the ultimate gift for a sneak-attacker. He also makes Fobias grow via Enlarge Person. Although our friendly resident half-orc isn’t the same size as the statue, he’s large enough to be considered a threat.
With each successful hit, tiny stones transfer from the statue’s staff to its target. These pebbles combine together in an attempt to solidify and drain Dexterity. Fortunately, the party is mostly unaffected by this attempt at a brutal petrification.
Krask’s arrows strike true, thanks to his invisible form. Bits of rock and debris explode from the statue, showering the party from above. Piece by piece, the statue begins to crumble, until a final arrow from Krask seals the deal.
As the statue begins to crumble, the voice of Karzoug echoes once more. He issues a challenge to the party to meet him atop Mhar Massif, where they will be the first to be executed under Shalast’s banner in 10,000 years.
Forging a Future
The party has the Runeforge all to themselves. It’s been a harrowing journey, and nearly a deadly one. But after all is said and done, the Heroes of Sandpoint have won the day. Only Karzoug and his forces in Xin-Shalast await.
If they hope to have any chance of spoiling Karzoug’s return, the party knows that additional dominant weapons are needed. Besides Barnaby’s scimitar, the party enhances Krask’s, Trace’s, and Fobias’ weapons. Infused to oppose Greed, they will be a force for Karzoug to contend with.
Additionally, they decide to forge two more weapons with the intent of spreading out their bonuses. Fobias emblazons his old falchion to oppose Wrath, and Trace’s longsword is imbued to oppose Sloth.
And with that, it’s time to leave the Runeforge behind. The party heads back to Wrath to the Sihedron teleportation circle. Nobody sheds a tear as they flip the bird at the hellscape that is the Runeforge. And, with a familiar pop, the party returns to the snowy mountainside from whence they came.
From there, it’s back to Barnaby’s Magnimarian townhouse. A world-level threat is in their future, but the party hopes to take a few days to recuperate before heading off on what may be their final journey. Some of them might not return, so they’ll let their hair down in a final hurrah.
Does Karzoug have additional spies back on Golarion? Will a well-deserved rest be fruitful? What does Cloratus do all day, waiting for Barnaby to return?