Ibrahim waits for Say'ri to restrain the snake, slashing at the foe's head.
Ishia drops a ball of acid, instantly eroding several of the metallic scales. Say'ri drives the construct into the ground, stepping on its neck and trapping it. Ibrahim takes advantage, cutting the head off the snake in one swift stroke.
Mirri and Petra search for any traps or other surprises and, finding none, signal to the others to open the sarcophagus.
Inside the sarcophagus, Akhentepi’s mummified corpse wears an exquisitely crafted gold funerary mask worth 500 gp. He also wears thick leather cords wrapped around his arms and shoulders.
One of the chests contains Akhentepi’s armor, the magic suit of padded armor he wore in life. The other chest holds a disintegrating cloth sack filled with 500 gp, as well as a small, well-preserved darkwood coffer worth 50 gp. Inside the coffer is a potion of darkvision, a potion of lesser restoration, an ornate lapis and carnelian pendant worth 70 gp, and an assortment of carnelian, lapis lazuli, and turquoise semiprecious stones worth a total of 40 gp.
redacted!
With the monster defeated, Ishia assists the others in examining the room, casting detect magic as she does so. Her eyes light up at the collection of treasure, and she can immediately tell that the cords and armor have magical properties; she turns her attention to trying to identify their properties.
Yea! It's dead, it's dead! Mirri excitement over the victory quickly translated into a joyous search of the room and sarcophagus for traps or other concerns. Afterward, she briefly helped the group with gathering treasure, but with her limited strength stepped back and watched the others gathered everything proudly.
After the collecting and examining was done, the halfling looked around to the others, Well, I guess that's it. Time to go back? Once everyone is ready to do so, Mirri follows the others back through the tomb to the entrance.
|
Say'ri kicks the dissected parts of the cobra quietly impressed at the accuracy and speed of Ibrahim's strike. When she and Ibrahim opened the coffin and Ishia identified the cords and armor as magical she begins stripping the corpse, very gently and carefully. She does not take the mask.
"I do not feel that we should remove the mask. The armor can be of practical use but I do not believe that we honor the general by taking his mask and selling it for coin. Let it lie here with him as was intended."
Standing above the sarcophagus looking down at the mummified figure Say'ri spoke quietly. "Thank you for your aid General, we will bear your arms with honor." Feeling a feeble scrabbling in her pocket she carefully extracted al'Jannah, laying him on Akhentepi's bandaged chest as she retrieves her weapon.
"It is well done."
The deep male voice surprises everyone in the room, although only a few can understand it. Say'ri jerks round to find her familiar perched upright on the mummies chest. Fixing her with a stern gaze al'Jannah speaks again.
"You have shown yourself worthy of my treasures and I begrudge them not, although I appreciate your courtesy in leaving my mask."
"General Akhentepi." Say'ri replies, executing a short military salute. "My thanks for your own aid. I would not be here without your aid. Might I ask how you are speaking to us now?"
The hawk is silent for a moment, head tilted to one side. "Your familiar is grievously wounded Guardian. In fact his soul has already fled the body and crossed to the judgement of Anubis. This has left his body... vacant and by the grace of Lord Osiris I have returned to aid my descendant. You are of my blood Say'ri al Bashere - that is why I appeared to you earlier when your companions did not see me. If you are willing I will remain here as your companion, our true immortality lies in blood and family - I wish to serve mine again as I may."
Say'ri drops to one knee. "I am unworthy General. I grieve for my familiar but rejoice at your presence. If you wish to stay we shall all be honoured." Turning to one side she asks in the commmon tongue. "Petra, would you mind healing the General? I will pay for the scroll."
-----------------------------------------------
As they return through the corridors of the tomb Say'ri, supporting Akhentepi on her shoulder she turns to business.
"Once we leave I suggest the following. Ishia, if you take the various jewelry and use your contacts to sell them. Take Ibrahim with you for back-up. Mirri and I will head to an armory to sell the weaponry. Petra, if you take the ready money and head to the temple - purchase whatever healing supplies you deem necessary for our next tomb and turn these records over to the church. Hopefully they will appreciate the gesture. Unless anyone has any objections?"
Once they reach the armory and load up the large chest Say'ri pauses. "Does anyone wish to claim any of these weapons for their own. It is selfish I know but I would like to keep the khopesh, the shield and this shortbow. They are all of superior quality to my own and make me more effective in combat. They will come out of my share of course. I'd suggest the armor goes to Mirri if we can get it adjusted to her size."
I appreciate your courtesy, but take all of my grave goods and use them as you see fit. They were placed there to accompany me to the Boneyard and I no longer have a need for mortal trinkets--my soul has already been weighed and judged long ago.
The bird looks around at the party, studying your faces.
So, it would seem none of you gazed too long into my mirror. Clever...
This suit of +1 stanching padded armor is of traditional Osirian design, consisting of a quilted cuirass of lightweight, breathable linen; a linen kilt; and a teardrop-shaped groin guard of stiffened linen. Besides its anti-bleeding properties, Akhentepi’s armor grants its wearer a sense of impending danger. Once per day as a free action when the wearer attempts an initiative check, the wearer can add a +3 insight bonus on that initiative check.
Petra breathes out in relief as they sever the snake. She stands, observing, as the hawk speaks to them-- and she bows.
"Our thanks for your.. generosity," she says meekly to the spirit whose tomb they have raided scrounged explored.
Picking up the scroll again, she dutifully uses it on al'Jannah.
"I can carry much," Petra grunts. "That is what it is, to be a dwarf. We do not walk as fast as a tall one, but we can walk when our burdens would have crushed you."
As they begin dispersing things around to help facilitate the removal of the items, Petra squints at Mirri. The dwarf frowns, then steps in front of the halfling.
"I saw you take that gem for yourself. Thief. You will remove it, now. And turn out the rest of your pockets and pouches as well."
"These are muleback cords. They will make transporting our goods quite simple--whoever wears them will be as strong as an ox. As for the armor--it is obviously magical, but I cannot ascertain what its properties are; that will take further study on my part," says Ishia as she finishes examining the treasures in the room.
"So our work here was no sacrilege after all," smiles Ishia after the spirit finishes speaking. She is especially relieved when Akhentepi permits them to take the mask--she was not looking forward to having to convince Say'ri not to pass on an artifact worth at least fifty platinum coins, though she supposes had the ghost not intervened she would've finally found use for the magic charm she had prepared that morning.
"If the church wants the records, I'm sure they'll be happy to pay for them," adds Ishia after Say'ri give them their instructions. She carries as much as she can, and though she is heartier than the average wizard she is still exhausted from her expenditure of magical energy before, and it is less than she would like to carry.
Petra continues to gaze stonily at Mirri!
"No need to get into a quarrel. Mirri was clearly just claiming that gem as a portion of her cut of the treasure, right Mirri?"
Mirri gave Petra a wide, yet weak smile. What, what do do ya mean? Err...ahh...OH, where did that come from! With a flick of her wrist at about as fast a speed as a person can move, a small green gemstone came out of Mirri's sleeves and into a nearby pack containing treasure.
The halfling took a step back from the dwarf, seeming to acknowledge Petra's much larger, by comparison at least, stature. Mirri pointed at Ibrahim and nodded vigorously as the man spoke. That's, that's exactly right! We were jus' now splittin' up the loot, right? She quickly picked up a jeweled pendant in the pack and proceeded to pin it onto the front of Petra's armor; done rapidly, it hung at an odd angle. See, that one's great for you Petra! It matches your, err...eyes...or something. Anyway, good we sorted that out! We're ready to go, yes...yes! The halfling then picked up a few mundane items in a show of "helping" and attempted to move ahead with the rest as quickly as she could.
"No. Stop," Petra rasped. She crossed her arms, glaring at Mirri's attempt to placate her with the pendant.
"If she is willing to take things now, then how will I know she has not taken other things, when I have not seen? 'Claimed' other portions of what belongs to us all, already, without 'mentioning'? This individual has stolen from me once, in the market. Now she tries to steal again. Will I take it on faith she has taken nothing else? I would be a fool, then, to think the river changes its course.
"Empty your pockets and your pouches, thief."
Oh, fine! The halfling's pouty response was followed a dutiful emptying of various pockets, many of which are remarkably well hidden in her garb. However, no other contraband appears, just her rations, sling and bullets, dagger and the like. See, nothin' else. 'Sides it was just a small thing, no reason to get worked up. Look at all this stuff we got! Hoping that settled the issue, Mirri again put a big smile on her face and said, Ok, so let's go!
Petra watches, sharply, then gives a grave nod after nothing else is revealed.
"Very well. And there is no such thing as a 'small thing' when it comes to trusting one another. Let us go, then."
She shouldered her own share of the weight to carry, and gave a respectful nod to the sarcophagus as they exited.
Ishia ascends the rope to find the aftermath of a war zone. The remains of an enormous translucent scorpion are torn to pieces close to the exterior doors. It's massive stinger has been severed and stuck into the scorpion's carapace, pinning a note to the corpse. The note is clearly a torn-off piece of a map similar to the one your group was given from the clergy.
It reads, simply: "You owe me a beer," and is signed with no name, but a very large paw print.
Several tracks, both animal and humanoid, lead away from the scene to the East.
|
|
Say'ri comes up second, with the Muleback cords, ready to hoist the chest and all its loot. Seeing the scene at the door she calls down to the others to wait a moment and examines the scene.
"Holy Haathor. I think they're right - we do owe someone a drink. Ishia, take a careful look around and check we aren't going to get jumped."
Heading back to the hole Say'ri calls down. "One of the other teams killed a huge scorpion up here and left a note. Ibrahim, can you and Mirri come up now - I want as many bodies up here as quick as we can. Petra, tie the chest on when they're up and we'll get it up as quick as we can!"
As Mirri comes up the rope, Say'ri leans down to help her up. "You and I are going to talk later..."
Mirri gets impatient waiting and quickly jumps on the rope after Say'ri is near the top. Ooh, let me see, let me see!, she said, in response to the exited talk about the scorpion. As she reached the top and began looking around, she caught Say'ri's stern gaze and admonishment. Oh man, again? The halfling lets off a heavy sigh and a sullen expression took over her face for a moment, but she offered no other rebuttal. Once at the top, looking at the scorpion remains seemed to crowd out any other concerns Mirri might have. So why's it clear? And who's that guy who killed it? I bet he's real big and fierce!
|
|
Once everyone is out of the hole Say'ri reiterates the plan. "Ishia, Petra, Ibrahim. If you three take our valuables and sell them around the city then you can pick up any scrolls or wands we need. I will take Mirri and make our report to the temple before selling the spare weapons and armor."
She pauses for a minute and looks briefly unsure of herself. "If you'd like to, you are all welcome at our house for dinner. Ibrahim, if you don't know the way Ishia or Petra can show you. It might be a good time to divide the proceeds from our sales and I will be able to share our next location."
"Mirri, I have two questions for you. Why were you trying to take the stones? Secondly, do you think that it was fair? We all worked together in there to get out. None of us would have survived without the others so why should you be able to claim a larger share of the treasure than Ibrahim or Petra?"
Once she has received her share of the treasure, Ishia returns to the market. In Wati's bazaar, she seeks out a pearl of power, and scrolls of mount, feather fall, unseen servant, and identify (or, if they are unavailable, any wizards who will allow her to copy said spells into her spellbook).
Mirri said little as the group departed the tomb and returned to town; the excitement of finding the rent scorpion transitioned to wide-eyed stares at the volume of valuables the group was about to sell off. It seemed that, perhaps for the first time, it was actually dawning on the halfling the sheer amount of wealth on hand.
She looked wistfully at Ishia, Petra and Ibrahim as they departed with a sizable portion of the treasure to sell, and seemed almost ready to say something, but held her tongue. As Say'ri and her headed into town to check in with the temple and sell the unwanted arms, Mirri appeared lost in thought.
Say'ri noticed that the diminutive woman would instinctively walk in the shadows made by the buildings and awnings as they traveled. If asked about it, Mirri simply shrugged, dunno, I never liked the direct sunlight. It's jus' so bright and leaves you all exposed, ya know?
As the pair walked along, the halfling gave a chagrined wince when Say'ri confronted her about stealing the gem. No, it's not fair. But...but, I figured they wouldn't be fair to me! Every time I went with my brother on a....job, he'd always take all the good stuff and make like we never got it. I'd get a couple of stupid silver pieces and he got tons of nice stuff. So....I guess I thought they might try that too. I mean, sure, Ishia's been around but do we even know those other two? Ibrahim's nice, but plenty of people are nice and then try to gut you. Petra hates me. It's jus' hard to trust people. Mirri's shoulder slumped at the end, seeming at a loss to say more. But quickly her eyes widened and she looked back to the human woman, don't tell Ben-Ali! He'll be...disappointed in me. The word "disappointed" seemed a direct regurgitation of something Say'ri or her husband had directly said to Mirri before, but her concern appeared genuine.
*At the tomb still*
Petra squints at the message, and the large paw print, trying to tell if it is at least feline or canine, but animals were never her strong suit.
"Well. We must keep out our eyes," she rumbles, and starts the trudge back to town.
***
Within town, Petra negotiates at the Pharasmin temple for a wand of the grave goddess's favor-- while Anubis and Pharasma are distinct entities, they often work together, and share many concerns in common. A wand charged with the energies of life is also obtained. Similarly, she manages to purchase a tiny shard of purple crystal, etched with hieroglyphics, that floats gently around her skull, which the Pharasmins tell her will help in putting the undead to rest. She thanks them, and heads into town to purchase a few more mundane supplies, a scroll, various odds and ends...
She keeps an eye out in the market for anyone with a very large beast.
She returns to Say'ri's home with a minor headache, as the orbiting purple shard is vaguely distracting and she hasn't acclimated to it yet. Petra knocks, then enters when Say'ri's voice calls out for her to do so.
"I have purchased things," Petra informs the others awkwardly. "Things to heal and help us. We go again tomorrow?"
|
|
"I won't let anyone short change you Mirri. We are a team and we are going to do things fairly. I came out of Akhentepi's tomb with new weapons and a shield, so the rest of your will receive much larger shares of the money. Next time it might be you or Ishia that finds something useful so the rest of us will receive more money to compensate. I won't tell Ben tonight, but if you do anything like this again then not only will I tell him but I'll be taking you back to prison and our partnership will be at an end."
Say'ri crouches down so she is on eye-level with Mirri. "I don't want to do that Mirri - I trust you and I believe in you, so don't give me any reason not to. If you don't think someone is being fair then speak up! Now, to the temple and then we can go shopping."
At the Temple of Pharasma Say'ri will give a detailed account of the tomb, including various details about the life of Akhentepi, archetechural features and the decorations. She won't mention that her familiar is now possessed by the generals spirit. After reporting and receiving the next assignment she'll head to Menya the Whip to sell the weapons and purchase a new bowstring for the composite and arrows. (20 blunt and 20 normal). Then she will escort Mirri on any shopping Mirri wants to do before taking them both home.
At home, finding Ben-Ali out, Say'ri sets Mirri to chopping vegetables and begins preparing dinner. When her husband gets home she fills him in, leaving Mirri to provide all the exciting details, and warns him about the dinner guests. Ben-Ali is tired but listens to Mirri's explanations with a smile and offers healing for lingering bruises and scrapes as each person enters the house.
Mirri listened to Say'ri attentively, and at the end nodded, 'kay, I won't take anything more before we all split it up. It'd be real nice to be in a team that doesn't try to cheat ya all the time. I hope you're right about Ibrahim and Petra....and thanks for not tellin' Ben-Ali.
Apparently sufficiently chastised, the halfling said little as she and Say'ri visited the Temple. But as the two hit the market and began selling off unwanted items, Mirri's mouth hung open. Look at all this gold!! Looking back at the human woman she asked almost in disbelief, all that's mine?? I can't hardly believe it, can't say I've ever see so much in one place.
It took all the time Say'ri had for selling off unwanted items, and buying what she wanted for herself, for Mirri to get her mind around the financial resources she herself now had. I..I could buy a new knife...and a sling! Real good ones too! And, and I could get better tools for the locks and traps and stuff. Bet we find more of those. Suddenly excited again, the halfling became a flurry of shopping activity, locating an intricately carved dagger w./ a curved blade, featuring a dark wood pommel off-set with even darker obsidian. She followed this with a finely made sling, this was made with real cat gut! Not that fake stuff my ol' one had. Finally, she selected a set of high-quality lock picks and related tools from a rather shady vendor on the edge of the market.
Any prior negative emotions were washed away as Mirri practically bounded down the street with Say'ri en route to the human woman's home. To ease carrying, Mirri had purchased several gemstones with the bulk of the remainder of her gold, leaving her belt pouch full of the stones and a fat hand-full of silver pieces. She took to dancing an intricate set of steps while shaking the pouch in rhythm. I'm rich! I'm rich! A broad smile lit her face as they entered the home. Hey, Ben-Ali! Look at all the stuff we got! There's this knife, and a new sling and ....
Once a suitable stool was provided, Mirri seemed happy to chop vegetables, but frequently needed to be re-directed to the task instead of sharing incessant stories about the group's adventure. She greeted Ibrahim, Petra and Ishia warmly as they arrived, and as they all set down to eat asked, so what do ya think we do next?
Ben-Ali is tired but listens to Mirri's explanations with a smile and offers healing for lingering bruises and scrapes as each person enters the house.
Ishia goes off on her own to find items of a more magical nature. The merchants are well-stocked in anticipation of explorers returning from the Necropolis, but it takes her a few hours to secure everything she needs.
Mirri and Say’ri split off together. The halfling’s training makes it easy for her to spot marks, but she notices, too, the Pillar of Second Thoughts. Dozens of hands hang together there, reminders of Abadar’s mercy towards those who violate his sacred trade laws by theft.
Petra finds all manner of healing and undead detecting/destroying items. Part of the temple has been set aside for such purchases, though the lobby has two acolytes running triage for those injured in exploration. One man, feverish and clawed, screams about a pack of ravenous ghouls before he is spirited away hastily into the temple.
As Petra finishes her purchases, Say’ri and Mirri show up to make their report.
A scribe nods with interest, taking notes and seemingly approving of your report. He provides you with a map to your next location and a name: The House of Pentheru.
Mirri and Say’ri set to preparing vegetables for dinner and, after a short while, Ben-Ali returns home. He limps across the threshold, hanging his hat and entering the kitchen.
Ah, I see what’s happening here. You want me to make some onion soup so you start the chopping. Very clever, but I won’t reveal Teht’s secret recipe. I’m sworn to secrecy on that.
His breath is labored but still he chuckles at his own joke, planting a kiss on Say’ri’s cheek and rolling up his sleeves. He seems determined to help prepare dinner. His gaze lands upon his wife’s cuts and the enormous bruise on her leg, but he doesn’t comment.
At the halfling’s excitement, he can’t help but smile: That is wonderful, child. I knew you would keep my Say’ri safe! I am so pleased that you are a guest here in our humble home.
Later, when Ibrahim and Petra arrive he greets them warmly. Insisting on serving his (quite tasty) simple fare and some wine, which he says he’s saved for a “special occasion”. He listens to your tales of Akhentepi's Tomb with interest, fear, and ultimately relief.
When he sees the blood stain and large gash on Ibrahim’s back he starts, and hurries as fast as he can into his bedroom before returning with some supplies.
I can mend your wound some—I’ve used all of Horus’ gifts to help the small folk of our neighborhood. I’m afraid they don’t have much in the way of payment, but their need is great.
So, Ben-Ali says, not looking up from patching up Ibrahim. Where are you all off to next?
With her scrolls and pearl secured, Ishia leaves the market, heading in the direction of Say'ri's home, a considerable amount of coin still jingling in her purse--she instinctively clutches it close to her chest as she passes the Pillar of Second Thoughts. She always found the thing distasteful--but getting pickpocketed was worse.
Upon arriving at Say'ri's house, Ishia greets the others and finds a place to sit and examine her scrolls. As there are only so many hours in the day, she decides to only attempt to add Unseen Servant and Identify to her spellbook--she was eager to figure out the power of Akhentepi's armor, and it would likely come in handy in the future, and she had dealt with air spirits before--she assumed the principal was the same. But as she read the scroll, her mind flashed back to the power she had drawn on in the Akhentepi's tomb--something dark and terrible, that had been--and then her mind went blank. As beads of sweat formed on her brow, she put the parchment aside and turned her attention to the scroll of identify; its contents were far less distressing in nature.
With identify successfully added to her magical repertoire, Ishia then began to scribe a scroll of her own, repeating the magical formula necessary to summon a creature from the great beyond--doing her best to push thoughts of black pharoahs and gods with a thousand names to the back of her mind. She was a conjurer, after all--this was supposed to be her specialty.
When the name "Pentheru" is mentioned, Ishia racks her memory for any knowledge of the place--and the name does sound familiar...
|
|
"We've been given the 'House of Pentheru', from the map it should be fairly easy to get to. Seems to be a decent size, bigger than the tomb on the surface at least. Has anyone heard of this place before? We could leave tonight in theory, but I imagine we'll all do much better for a good night's sleep. I suggest that we meet at dawn and try to get on with the expedition as quickly as possible. The undead will be back in their lairs by dawn and I don't imagine there will be many others around that early so we should have a clear run. That way, even if we have to retreat and purchase more gear we can still go back in later if need be. Unless anyone has objections?"
Once everyone has finished Say'ri stands to deal with the dishes - glaring at Ben-Ali if he tries to help. "Mirri, we still have space if you'd like to stay here tonight. I don't know if I'd survive without my protector!"
Once people have left or gone to bed she will sit down with Ben-Ali and explain what happened to al'Jannah, introducing him to Akhentepi and asking if his healing skills can tend any of the bird's injuries. She then goes to bed early - exhausted by the busy-ness of the day.
Ishia knows quite a bit about Pentheru:
Like many minor Osirian nobles, Pentheru owned a section of farmland and was responsible for its administration, overseeing the farmers who worked the land and the distribution of grain, and ensuring the proper taxes were paid to the local authorities and the Keleshite sultan in Sothis who ruled Osirion at the time. Pentheru the Elder started construction of the estate but passed away during its construction. His son, Pentheru the Younger, inherited his lands and title and finished the house.
When the Plague of Madness struck Wati, Pentheru the Younger fell victim to it and quickly died. Had he survived longer, he might have evacuated his family and household staff from the city, but without his leadership, his family interred him in a crypt on the property and tried to weather the plague in situ. Pentheru’s servants and guards did their best to defend the estate and the family, but amid the chaos and the plague’s virulence, the entire household perished.
Ibrahim arrives a little late to dinner, having finished shopping. The weathered shortbow that was slung on his back is replaced with an impressive darkwood longbow that is clearly a step up.
Interestingly enough, he has also changed from a long sleeved shirt to a sleeveless top. He is clearly impressed with how enhanced his muleback cords make his biceps look, and he is not shy about showing them off.
He seems to recognize the name Pentheru, but not much in the way of details., but presuming Ishia shares what she knows:
"The plague of madness was a nasty bit of business. We should probably make some preparations for undead. I doubt this next place will be all constructs and animated objects."
Ibrahim will make pleasant conversation with the others, particularly Ben-Ali, trying to get him to give up some "dirt" about Say'ri while the former is tending to his wounds. Then when the meal is concluded:
"There is no need for haste. The house of Pentheru has been around for a long time, and will still be there tomorrow. What say we get some rest, and head out there in a day or two? That way we can go to the Tooth and Hookah tonight, scope out some of the other teams, and enjoy our new found riches."
*flex* *smile*
Ibrahim will make pleasant conversation with the others, particularly Ben-Ali, trying to get him to give up some "dirt" about Say'ri while the former is tending to his wounds.
Ben cleans and dresses the wounds, and responds to Ibrahim's inquiries with mock indignation.
You want me to betray my wife's trust? Never! he says loudly, for all to hear.
Then, leaning in to continue bandaging the wound, he says more quietly: Pomegranate wine will do the trick. She doesn't partake much, but when she does you'll get smiles and laughter that could broker a peace between warring nations. She might even dance, if you're lucky. Pomegranate wine...
Ben-Ali stands up gingerly and pats Ibrahim on the shoulder.
You should be fine now, son. I pray you won't need my services next time.
"I agree with Ibrahim. A slight delay will surely do us no harm--it will give me time to scribe more scrolls and identify the armor that we found. Regardless, I could not leave at dawn--I must meditate on my spellbook first."
"Unlike the tomb of Akhentepi, the House of Pentheru was a victim of the Plague of Madness. I must concur with Ibrahim again; we will almost certainly be facing undead. As I am not a necromancer," she says, looking over at the dwarf as she emphasizes the word not, "I know few spells that can deal with them directly. Buying holy water will be quite prudent."
"I require an hour to prepare my spells, and will need two hours to scribe another scroll," says Ishia. "So I will require at least three hours after dawn. The house will still be there even with a slight delay on our part."
Petra longingly considers staying inside the nice, quiet house and spending time observing her prayers to the Tomb Guardian. But she supposes that if the person with the large animal is about, they will not be found here.
"I will come with you," she gruffly informs Ibrahim and Ishia, giving the other woman a small nod at the firm insistence she is not a necromancer.
The thought of undead ahead fills her with a grim sort of satisfaction. That is work she can do without qualms.
Yeah! Let's go! Mirri was one of the first to agree to Ibrahim's idea and immediately jumped down off her stool as dinner was finished up. She then paused, and looked back to Ben-Ali almost as if asking permission. Oh, but I'm supposed to protect Say'ri. Do you think you could look after her for a bit? We won't be gone for too long, 'cause we got a house full of undead to deal with tomorrow!
It was hard to tell from Mirri's tone she was naïve of the threat the undead could offer, or if she simply did not care. After Ben-Ali offers his consent, Mirri grabs her cloak and is ready to head out when the others are.
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
Layout of the Tooth and Hookah
In the evening the Tooth and Hookah is quite busy. People crowd into the tavern, smoking the water pipes and drinking heavily. There is a diverse assortment of patrons, some loudly conversing and some keeping to themselves.
Most of the patrons are quite clearly adventuring parties, likely others who have tried their luck in the necropolis.
One group sits quietly and rolls their eyes as their seemingly self-appointed leader, a red-faced man with a handlebar mustache, boasts loudly about the mummy they defeated and the riches they acquired. He wears a thin-blade dueling sword on his hip.
The man is clearly lying.
One group, all female, with two of them dressed identically including wearing matching veils, sits near a third group. A red-haired Ulfen from the second approaches the third, and the two parties converse politely and quietly. The third group is heavily-armed (but not armored), apparently geared more for stealth and speed than brawn.
A woman dressed in a "Taldan dandy's idea of adventuring gear", including a purple foppish hat, is at the bar conversing with the bartender. He hands her an expensive glass of wine, revealing an ugly black scar on his arm as he does so. Ibrahim and Petra recognize her as one of the occupants of the suite upstairs. Near her sits a young Keleshite man with kohl-rimmed eyes and a Garundi man in heavy armor. All three of them wear pendents.
Holy Symbols of Nethys, God of Magic
A tall, dusky-skinned half-elf watches the group at the bar with interest, particularly the foppish lady.
Also sitting near the Taldan woman but not speaking to anyone is a dwarf with red, braided hair. He wears armor crafted from the hide of some great insect and sips his beverage with a forlorn expression on his face.
By far the most jarring sight, though, is the table of halflings sitting closest to the kitchen. Two of them are slumbering, one upright in his chair and one with his head on the table. The third paints a ridiculous scene--the halfling wears a dented helm and armor that is covered in grease and alcohol. Across his back is slung a large club and a scimitar sized for a human, the crossguard shaped like a falcon on fire. In his hand he holds a giant severed claw that he is attempting, with varying degrees of success, to raise a full pint of beer to his lips and drink. A good portion of his beverage spills on the floor, where it is instantly lapped up by the ugliest dog you have ever seen. The mastiff, easily 200 lbs., has scratches on her hide and great tufts of fur that have been seemingly ripped off. Her muzzle, when she lifts it from the haunch of meat and bowl of water set out for her, is scarred by horrific burns.
Ishia recognizes the holy symbol of Nethys on the three adventurers at the bar immediately; what self respecting Osirioni wizard () would fail to recognize it? While not a devotee of the All-Seeing Eye herself, she had a fair amount of respect for the God-King of Osirion, just as she had for all the native deities of the kingdom. The outfit of the Taldane woman is a bit...ridiculous, but as they are almost certainly fellow wizards or at least clerics of Nethys she is willing to look past the woman's terrible fashion sense.
"Greetings," she says, approaching the adventurers. "I am Ishia al Buari." Best to give her familial name than her self described title--she didn't want to get in a "putting on airs" competition with a Taldane noble. "I take it that you followers of Nethys? It is always good to meet another devotee of the arcane arts; I am a wizard myself. Are you here for the lottery?"
Mirri looked around the tavern with a bemused smile. Never really been in here, guess I never had the coin 'til now. As the group found a table, the halfling smiled at the barmaid who came by. I'll take a large mug of tea with EXTRA honey! She either missed or consciously ignored the barmaid's confused look, clearly tea was not often ordered here.
After a short time chatting with the others in the group, Mirri took a moment to really consider the others in the bar. Man, those guys killed a mummy! Guess that's hard. Seems like he's proud of the fact. Who knows, maybe we get to kill a mummy at this next place we go. Then I can go on about it in a bar too! She then noticed a dusty half-elf who seemed to be trying to stay unnoticed. Mirri eyed the man for an extended time, then raised her mug to him and shouted, GO GET HER! She then laughed a bit, before turning to the table near the kitchens. This I gotta find out more about, be back soon! Mug of tea in hand, she trotted over to the table of fellow halflings, and offered the one not passed out a broad smile. Hi there! Whatcha up to? By the way, did ya'll happen to kill a big clear scorpion and leave a note on it?
The barmaid returns with a (surprisingly) clean glass filled with beer for Mirri.
The beer's sweet, she says and hurries away.
That it is, the scarred halfling says to the waitress's comment. To Mirri's question, he holds up the massive claw (pincers) and waves it around a bit before tossing it onto the ground where the dog immediately starts using it as a chew toy.
So, you got my note, he says with a smile, wiping his greasy hand on his tunic and offering it in a handshake.
The name's Marrn, though my friends usually call me 'Mad Dog'. And this here beauty is Marrna, he indicates the dog at his feet.
I drink 'em by the pint, in case you wanted to settle our account now. How'd you fare in that vault y'all were in?
Meanwhile, at the bar...
Velriana Hypaxes, charmed, I'm sure, the Taldan replies, holding out her hand vertically, palm outward to Ishia. Whether she wants you to shake it our kiss it, you have no clue.
My companions and I are, regrettably, here for the lottery, yes. This fool Sebti the Crocodile decides to leave such a matter of import to chance. Velriana says the high priestess's moniker with obvious derision before taking a slow, sophisticated sip of her drink.
Hmm, I've had better, but this will serve in a backwater like this. Anyway, how that upjumped street urchin became high priestess is a mystery to me, but it's going to be her fault when these weak-minded fools start prying into places they shouldn't. I petitioned the death worshipers to let my group explore the "Erudite Eye"--it's a place sacred to Nethys. The All-Seeing Eye is not to be trifled with, and who better than to navigate his wards and unlock his knowledge safely, but those of his clergy?
She snorts, sipping slowly. They rejected my request and instead assigned us to explore a house of ill repute. Can you believe their gall? No doubt that drunken lout will find the God-King's holy site and level the city, living and dead, with whatever magic he unleashes. Ha, a "lottery"--ridiculous!
Petra gives an unimpressed glance over at the loud braggart. "Hrmmnff."
She orders a mug of thick Osiriani beer, almost soup-- the 'liquid bread' by which the pyramids were built! Petra nurses it, her eyes flickering around the room until Mirri says her bit about being impressed over the other table's "mummy kill."
"Bah. He has killed no mummy. He boasts."
When Mirri wanders over to the halfling-table, Petra observes a moment, then follows.
"We lived. We profited. We ask the gods for no more. Our thanks for your assistance."
When the waitress reappeared with beer, Mirri frowned into the mug, taking a sniff of it and then putting it down. For a few moments of conversation she would pick up the mug again and waive it around while speaking, but never came as close a swig of it herself.
Over at the halflings' table, Mirri seemed completely unfazed by the greasiness of the hand Marnn offers, giving him a wide smile. She then turned to Marnna and, looking up at the dog that was nearly four times her size, she said Wow, you're really big. Thanks for helping with that scorpion. Hope it tastes good. When "Mad Dog" mentions the beer he is owed, Mirri looks down at the unused one in her hand, then with another grin hands it to Marnn.
As Petra approached just in time to respond to Marnn's query, Mirri also replied. Yep, that's right, we did great! We would've had a big surprise though if you hadn't shown up when ya did. How did you know to come look there? Looking over at the two passed out halflings she added, who are those two? Is that your whole group, jus' the three of you and the giant dog?
Moving quietly, Mirri snuck along the walls from the halfling table over to where the female half-elf stood. When she got close she said in a loud whisper, Pssst....what are we watchin' here? Once she had the woman's attention, the halfling laughed for a moment and then reached out/up her hand, Hi! I'm Mirri, you're lookin' really hard at the fancy lady over there. That a friend of yours?
"I know not why the priesthood of Pharasma has chosen this method of selection," says Ishia, pretending not to notice Velriana's hand. She considers what Velriana has said--however blunt she was being, she did have a good point. A temple of Nethys was almost certain to house magical power beyond what was typical
"I understand your frustration. Perhaps, if a team other than your own is selected to explore the Eye, they will be willing to switch tombs with you, or explore under your guidance. And of course, there is always the possibility that your team will be assigned the tomb regardless. We are all bound to the will of Ma'at," continues Ishia. "Regardless, I share your concern. After tomorrow's exploration, I will speak to the priestess as well--perhaps she will be more receptive hearing it from a local."
Ibrahim is more intrigued by the Halfling with the large pet than the strange woman talking about Nethys. As he approaches, with a stein in each hand, and sees that Mirri has already given Marrn a beer, he shrugs and pours a beer into the bowl of the large hound, before sitting down at the table and taking a big swig of his own beer.
"I see Mirri has already given you that drink, but I suppose we owe this fearsome warrior a drink as well. And here for you, a drink for later. May you never have need of it."
He holds out the potion of cure light wounds that he purchased earlier in the day.
With the Halflings:
When Mirri wanders over to the halfling-table, Petra observes a moment, then follows.
"We lived. We profited. We ask the gods for no more. Our thanks for your assistance."
Over at the halflings' table, Mirri seemed completely unfazed by the greasiness of the hand Marnn offers, giving him a wide smile. She then turned to Marnna and, looking up at the dog that was nearly four times her size, she said Wow, you're really big. Thanks for helping with that scorpion. Hope it tastes good. When "Mad Dog" mentions the beer he is owed, Mirri looks down at the unused one in her hand, then with another grin hands it to Marnn.
As Petra approached just in time to respond to Marnn's query, Mirri also replied. Yep, that's right, we did great! We would've had a big surprise though if you hadn't shown up when ya did. How did you know to come look there? Looking over at the two passed out halflings she added, who are those two? Is that your whole group, jus' the three of you and the giant dog?
Ha, I like your style! he yells at Mirri, taking the offering and draining a big swig.
As for our help, It was nothin’—we were on our way to the tannery we got assigned and saw that thing slinking into that vault y’all were in. Didn’t seem fair for you to come out of there with whatever dangers you’d faced to get ambushed by some weird bug.
Marrna jumps up and licks Mirri’s face, knocking her down in the process until Mad Dog shoos her away.
Those two, he says, indicating the unconscious halflings, …can’t handle their drink, or smoke. We got one more with us. He’s looking for any good breeders, cuz…we…need more dogs for our next location.
Marrn looks away for a minute, wiping away a tear. Lysander said it was some kinda ‘jelly ooze’ or some such. Killed half my pack! Marrna showed it what for, though. She’s tougher than some dumb jelly. He speaks with a lump in his throat, holding back tears but eying his dog with fierce pride.
Ibrahim is more intrigued by the Halfling with the large pet than the strange woman talking about Nethys. As he approaches, with a stein in each hand, and sees that Mirri has already given Marrn a beer, he shrugs and pours a beer into the bowl of the large hound, before sitting down at the table and taking a big swig of his own beer."I see Mirri has already given you that drink, but I suppose we owe this fearsome warrior a drink as well. And here for you, a drink for later. May you never have need of it."
He holds out the potion of cure light wounds that he purchased earlier in the day.
Mad Dog pops the cork and dips his pinky into the potion, sucking on his finger and tilting his head to the side.
Yep, that’ll do the trick. Here girl, he says, upending the potion into the dog’s bowl of beer. As Marrna laps it up, the acid burns on her face heal before your eyes. Mad Dog points at Ibrahim's blade.
Thank you, friend! Say, you know how to use that, or is it just for show, like those arms of yours. A HA HA HA HA
He unslings the medium-sized scimitar on his back and holds it up. The crossguard is styled like flaming bird wings and the blade glows golden and slightly warm.
Lysander called it “Sun Falcon’s Wing” or some other ponce name. Anyway, it can burst fire out from you and other stuff. I’ll give you a good price, if you’re interested. How about, six?
Moving quietly, Mirri snuck along the walls from the halfling table over to where the female half-elf stood. When she got close she said in a loud whisper, Pssst....what are we watchin' here? Once she had the woman's attention, the halfling laughed for a moment and then reached out/up her hand, Hi! I'm Mirri, you're lookin' really hard at the fancy lady over there. That a friend of yours?
That “fancy lady” is my employer, and I’m doing my job. Please leave me to it.
Though her words are courteous her tone does not invite further discussion from Mirri, who notices that the woman’s position allows her to sit with her back against the wall and provides good sight lines to both Velriana and the door.
"I know not why the priesthood of Pharasma has chosen this method of selection," says Ishia, pretending not to notice Velriana's hand. She considers what Velriana has said--however blunt she was being, she did have a good point. A temple of Nethys was almost certain to house magical power beyond what was typical
"I understand your frustration. Perhaps, if a team other than your own is selected to explore the Eye, they will be willing to switch tombs with you, or explore under your guidance. And of course, there is always the possibility that your team will be assigned the tomb regardless. We are all bound to the will of Ma'at," continues Ishia. "Regardless, I share your concern. After tomorrow's exploration, I will speak to the priestess as well--perhaps she will be more receptive hearing it from a local."
Don’t make the mistake that, because ones such as you and I understand the rightful place of logic in the world, that those in positions of power feel the same way. I already asked about switching assignments, but Sebti’s sycophants said it is expressly forbidden. You’ll probably have as much success changing their minds if you start bludgeoning yourself over the head with a mug of ale. Still, if you somehow change their minds, which would be rare magic indeed, contact me here or leave a message with Farhaan. I will reward you handsomely.
"It is unfortunate that the priestess is being so stubborn. I will do my best to try to convince her," says Ishia, before thanking the woman and seeing what her companions are up to.
Passing by Ibrahim and the halfling, she sees the sword he is peddling as magical--and there are easy ways for her to confirm that it is, of course. . Assuming that it is magical, she asks to see the sword, to confirm its properties.
As the day is growing late, Ishia says farewell to the rest of the party and returns to her home.