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A final check of your notes, and the Pyramid dangers marked, you move once again out into the desert - the sun momentarily blinding - but as your eyes adjust you can see that your Venture Captain has sent a fresh caravan of sages, scholars, and other wise heads with an understanding of Ancient Osirion, and your work here is complete...
****
/Narrator/
Pharaoh Sekh-pa-Mefer III ruled Osirion during its First Age, some 7,500 years ago. Called the Pharaoh of Sphinxes, Sekh-pa-Mefer was known to be a friend of the sphinxes of the Osirian desert and hosted many of the enigmatic creatures at his court. During his reign, he claimed that the sphinxes had shared with him the secret of eternal life, and promised that he would return after his death as a god to lead Osirion into a golden age of wisdom and prosperity. After his death, Sekh-pa-Mefer was mummified and interred in a pyramid in the Parched Dunes.Eternal life did come to Sekh-pa-Mefer, however—just not in the way he expected. With the removal of his brain during mummification, the pharaoh lost the timeless wisdom of the sphinxes, and he rose from the dead not as a god, but as a mummy, his intellect replaced with undying strength, a boundless rage, and a thirst for vengeance against the living. Even worse, Sekh-pa-Mefer discovered he was bound to his pyramid until he could slay the first living person to despoil his tomb.
The pharaoh has waited, quietly raging, for centuries, and his anger has slowly spread through his tomb to animate those interred with him as undead guardians.Now, with the reappearance of his pyramid from the desert sands, the mummy of Sekh-pa-Mefer waits for his tomb to be rediscovered so the Pharaoh of Sphinxes can rise again.
/Roll Credits!
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Kishara made sure to explain to the sages about the false tomb and the Pharaoh's apparent *cough* Harem. "I gotta be honest, here. Don't go on there without some clerics prepared to channel if they should turn on you. They seemed perfectly nice, and I'm not in the habit of carving up nice folk who offer me hospitality... but I seriously doubt they are what they appear." She shrugs, sorry she could not offer more insight.
The women had been dead for thousands of years. They were covered by an illusion that showed them as they were in their prime, but were now intelligent undead.
So long as the charade is maintained, they are happy to talk and converse, however if someone makes the will save and sees through and the undead cotton on to the fact that the illusion has been broken they become enraged and attack.
Thanks for the great game!
/ooc/Everyone in for Destiny Trilogy? Kicking off this weekend (19 Sep)/ooc/
I am ^_^ but I might bring a different character is that ok
Yep for sure.
I am ^_^ but I might bring a different character is that ok
Same here
Game starts tomorrow :)
Happy to be in Sothis and already re-dressed comfortably in the Osirian fashion and delighted to be out of the confines and encumbrance of weapons and armour, you spend your time wandering the late night souks near the Pathfinder lodge and have been enjoying the chaos of sights and sounds and inhaling deeply of the scents of exotic spices and perfumed incense.
Eventually returning to the lodge, you prepare to retire for the night – enjoying the cool evening air whilst talking amongst yourselves. Venture-Captain Norden Balentiir will be meeting with you come the morning.
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A crimson haired man sits in the main room a odd cross is resting on the table next to him that seems an odd weapon some might think as the rest of the group enters the room soul bids farewell to the party and the Crimson man walk up "good evening to you I am Rogelio Dela Belmonte I. Pleased to inform you that I will be Joining from this point on"
At dawn you arise to the sound of the calls to morning prayers echoing around the city before joining Venture-Captain Norden Balentiir to be briefed on your upcoming mission.
Balentiir shutters of the windows in his second-story office overlooking the lodge’s tranquil gardens and seats himself behind his writing desk. He nods and introduces a thin, aging Garundi man in an ornately bejeweled and feathered turban. "This is Amenopheus, the Sapphire Sage. I trust most of you know of him already. If you don’t, know that he has served both the Ruby Prince and the Pathfinder Society for many years, uncovering vast troves of lore from Ancient Osirion and mentoring some of our finest agents. He recently approached my colleagues and me with a request for assistance, and the Society has agreed to step up and aid its ally. The arrangement is, in fact, rather mutually beneficial." He nods to Amenopheus, signaling the elder man to speak.
"Faithful servants of the past, I bid you greetings," the wizened sage says with a shallow bow. "Our esteemed ruler, the Ruby Prince, recently released me from his service, which has freed me to learn more about a little-known organization to which I belong: the Jeweled Sages, protectors of Osirion’s history and chroniclers of its past glories. Quite by accident, I found myself initiated into this group, and have long believed myself to be its sole surviving member. Each sage in the group possesses a unique jewel — a priceless artifact that contains memories of Osirion’s golden age." He pauses as if considering how to express his thoughts "For many years, I have sought news of any other members of the Jeweled Sages. My agents recently learned of the Diamond Sage, whom they traced to the city of Eto in the Osirian Desert. At the same time, I received word from a reliable source that several other jewels in the vicinity. I ask that you travel to Eto, negotiate with my contact in the city for his assistance, and then use what you learn to find the Diamond Sage and these lost jewels." Venture-Captain Balentiir frowns and adds, "This contact has tried to remain anonymous, but we suspect he is none other than Grandmaster Torch. If you’ve heard of him — or worse, met him — you may know trading favors is his signature. Regardless of Torch’s past treacheries, we need you to deal with him fairly for the information. There is a caravan leaving for Eto in a few hours, so don’t delay."
"Do you have any questions?" Venture-Captain Norden Balentiir asks.
RRRRRAaaaaaaaaaaawwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww!
A loud roar punctuates Balentiir's question as a large beast stalks into the room, baring its fangs. The lizard wears armor made from bark and leaves and seems, oddly, domesticated.
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That wasn't a question, Gertie, a voice rings out from behind the beast.
A well-traveled dwarf, twigs and leaves tangled in his hair and beard, enters the room.
No questions here. I'm ready to depart. I'm Magrim and, well, seems you already met Gertie.
He nods to the others as if that's all the introduction he needs.
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Happy to be in Sothis and already re-dressed comfortably in the Osirian fashion and delighted to be out of the confines and encumbrance of weapons and armour, you spend your time wandering the late night souks near the Pathfinder lodge and have been enjoying the chaos of sights and sounds and inhaling deeply of the scents of exotic spices and perfumed incense.
Eventually returning to the lodge, you prepare to retire for the night – enjoying the cool evening air whilst talking amongst yourselves. Venture-Captain Norden Balentiir will be meeting with you come the morning.
True to her word, Kishara made sure to contact her contacts at the Silver Crusade and cashed in a favor to obtain a brand new healing wand.
Kish gave a slight smirk as she remembered when she had indeed met the Sapphire Sage. She nodded in greeting as she met his eye and listened as he laid out their mission.
She unconsciously grimaced, wrinkling her nose, as if remembering a terrible smell when Amenopheus mentioned Torch. She had met him as well and she did not relish doing so again.
"Will the Diamond Sage be amenable to this meeting, do you think? You are rather a public figure, Amenopheus, sir. Seems likely if the Diamond Sage wanted to seek you out, they would have done so on their own. Torch is apt to be working his own angle here... do you have any inkling what it might be? And finally, can you give us some advice on what we should pick up before we leave? I'm afraid I've never been to Eto."
"Are there any things that AREN'T up for negotiation? I'ma not the sharpest on this sort of thing, don't want to give away th' family jewels or something if you're not keen t' that?"..."Torch is apt to be working his own angle here... do you have any inkling what it might be?"
“The man is a charming devil to be sure. He always plays one side of a deal against the other, and usually ends up ahead"
“I suppose Torch has always enjoyed twisting bargains and words to his advantage. Very well. If you see an opportunity to gain some advantage against the man while doing favors for him, you’re welcome to follow through.” Amenopheus shoots a pleading look at the venture-captain before Balentiir quickly adds, “If you can get away with it.”
Will the Diamond Sage be amenable to this meeting, do you think? You are rather a public figure, Amenopheus, sir.
“My dismissal from the Ruby Prince’s service has left me neither exiled nor truly welcome. I will return to Absalom soon.”
And finally, can you give us some advice on what we should pick up before we leave?
"prepare for an overland journey by caravan, I believe you have already traversed the route to Eto before, on your way to the recently uncovered pyramid"
Amenopheus pulls a weathered stone from his robes and strikes it once against the wall to break the stone into two crystalline geode halves. He hands one piece to the PCs, instructing them, “If you find one of the jewels of my order or the person known as the Diamond Sage, I ask that you contact me. Concentrate on the stone and speak a message of a few dozen words. I will hear you and respond with further instructions. It will only work once, so keep it safe.”
"Well then ok then is there any bandits we should look out for or should we just play it by ear"
"The desert is awash with Gnolls, and raiders, and raiding Gnolls. That said, you will have the safety of joining the well defended merchant caravans no doubt"
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The barbaric half-elf stops at some shops affiliated with House Cartahegn and the discount he'd get from earning their favor he returns to them in the form of tips.
He picks up some odds and ends for the trip, nothing too fancy or special, though he does offer earplugs to folks that want them, just in case -- he's got four pairs he can loan out for the trip...
After an hour of shopping he's ready to go, clad in garb appropriate to the desert.
Venture-Captain Balentiir has arranged for the party to travel to Eto as part of a trade caravan of heavily laden camels, and he pays for the cost of their travel. The journey overland is uneventful.
The immense rock walls that ring Eto rise from the horizon like a shimmering mirage that gradually sharpens into focus. The city sits inside an elevated crater with sheer, weathered sides broken only in two places by heavily guarded gates. Long lines of caravans wait in a meandering queue awaiting entrance as officials search their cargos for contraband and calculate taxes.
Water sellers, food vendors, and guides march up and down the lines peddling their wares and services to the visitors. Beyond the gates, the main thoroughfares fan out around the various districts of the city before dwindling into the dozens of pathways that flow through the bazaar like the delta of the great River Sphinx
The walls of the cliffs rise 60 feet above the city. The gates remain open during daylight hours and are closed at night, though a patrol of guards is stationed nearby to review any requests to enter after nightfall.
The caravan driver starts giving you a commentary "Each caravan or group of travelers is assigned one or more trios of officials, each of which consists of two guards and a customs agent. Eto is a hub of trade in Osirion’s interior, and these officials ensure that no one brings dangerous contraband, such as certain drugs or large quantities of explosives into the city. All Osirian relics are documented and taxed; the opening of Osirion to treasure-hunters by the Ruby Prince’s decree stimulates the economy, but the Ministry of Culture ensures that the kingdom receives a cut of all finds and withholds artifacts of special importance. If you have anything you don't thin you want them to find, you have a few moments to make them disappear like a merchants morals faced with a wealthy fool"
Up ahead a trio is awaiting your caravan, conversing between themselves...
Magrim manages to drum up some fantastic trade with merchants on the caravan that are returning to Eto from the Eto - Sothis trade route. They manage to help him wangle together the permit paperwork and he is now a legit merchant of Eto!
The guards and the inspector wave your party forward.
Your caravan begins to move up.
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Kel spent most of his time after returning from the tomb dealing with his tavern business via courier. He finishes up right around the time the caravan runs into the trio, and his dismounts from his perch with a flourish and a wave.
Kel Na' Yaa, pathfinder and proprietor of the Laughing Lizard Inn! Pleased to meet you!
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Agraic is a bit twitchy with all the ramp-up to departure, and paces a bit before the party starts on its way. He's watching the horizon, listening for anything in particular, and in general being a fidgety warrior trying to remain prepped for action...
When Kel mentions that he's a Pathfinder, Agraic furrows his brow and looks a bit cross-eyed, like perhaps he's heard this a dozen times before, but doesn't necessarily believe it.
After the genuineness of your caravan was established, and the guards happy you are not raiders - a city official moves in to check the papers and he starts inspecting the wares.
"Hello my good honest merchants, I am Mahu, City Customs I need to check for any contraband and ensure all taxes and charges are appropriately levied" he seems like a friendly but bored Garundi man whose graying beard and tired eyes suggest he’s seen it all and heard every excuse at least a few dozen times.
His inspection appears to be of peoples weapons and armour too - making notes in a well worn journal. As he continues to inspect, he plies you with questions "You are not Osiriani, where are you all from?" he enquires politely, "Where are you headed?" he asks officially, "Have you seen any interesting sights?" he asks, you suspect out of a genuine interest.
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"Agraic Shieldarm, hired security in from Magnimar, headin' to Eto to bodyguard these folks. Was hired to help out in part due to a previous expedition to Eto. Never thought I'd say it, but I much prefer desert sand t' jungle humidity. Bloodcove and the area around it is kind of damp and unwelcoming to someone who wears heavy armor?"
The half-elf barbarian shifts a bit, wondering if that's enough or if he needs to provide more detail.