The band of four quickly create a dune overtop the monk’s corpse. Fortunately, the muscled Breach is able to use his shield as a powerful scoop and can move huge volumes of sand quite quickly. The Scarab uses her unseen servant to do her best to make the mound appear natural, attempting to remove any signs that the area around the artificial dune has been disturbed or is anything other than natural. She also casts a further spell which she hopes will mask the scent for a time, but you can tell her confidence is limited. The shallow grave is unlikely to survive the first significant wind storm or truly probing investigation.
The Scarab then leads the trio to the slave tents. To do this she has to cut across the path leading southeast that the infiltration team was originally travelling along, the one with the Hurgah and Moonpate 'warning statues'. She waits until the path appears empty and then bids everyone to ford the trail as quickly as possible in the moonlight. Once on the other side, she snakes through the dunes as she guides the group, keeping away from any other pathways or trails.
Twice she stops and ducks low behind a dune for what at first appears to be no apparent reason until she then points out the presence of an apple-sized, flying eyeball that surveys the desert terrain from a height of about ten feet. Each time she waits for the eye to fly on before resuming.
Finally the quartet reaches the slave tents. There are perhaps well over a hundred tents here, each capable of holding a dozen slaves, though many of the hovels are empty. The Scarab briefly explains that now that Ahn’Selota has been unearthed, many slaves have been released, no longer worth their cost in food and water, or perhaps too injured to be of further value. Several others have have deserted, convinced that nothing good can come from such proximity to a pyramid of the Four Pharaohs of Ascension. Indeed, the guards are gradually coming to equal the slaves in numbers.
By way of a circuitous route, eventually the Scarab makes her way to the small drab canvas tent that she now claims as her own. Along the way the Scarab avoids many public camp fires, each one surrounded by a dozen or so slaves taking refuge before the onslaught of tomorrow’s duties. You can also hear the snores of many other slaves, echoing from several different tents.
Once inside, the Scarab closes the tent flap. She then begins to cast an intricate spell. One of the ropes snaking around the tent poles comes to life, knotting itself at even one-foot lengths. One done, it then stands rigidly in the air. At the top of the rope, a circular gate appears, its border glistening with a magnificent magenta rune. The Scarab quickly climbs up the rope and into the yawning magical space beyond the gate. She then bids Gandel, Breach and Hal to do the same. Once everyone is inside, she seals the opening but first loops the rope back around the tent pole, to disguise its nature. The gate then vanishes, secreting its guests within.
If you didn’t already guess it’s a rope trick spell
Inside the Scarab’s portal is a bizarre chamber, the sensation is not unlike what you might expect were you in an empty fishbowl. You can see no walls, yet you are in a confined space. Beyond the invisible borders you can see the inside of the tent below, though the Scarab assures you that you are now hidden from sight from anybody outside the portal. You can see out of the 'fish bowl', but none can see in.
“OK, now we can talk. You must have many questions, I know I do. Where should we begin?”
"Let's begin with your involvement in this affair. I think only one member of our group was even aware that we had an agent already here on the ground".
"Let's begin with your involvement in this affair. I think only one member of our group was even aware that we had an agent already here on the ground".
-----
“Hmmmm," beings the Scarab, "I have been infiltrating the dig for several weeks. A contact of mine in Sothis reported the Exemplar was quietly spending vast sums of money on an expedition, the details of which were being kept secret. I followed the money trail around the city and it eventually took me here. It did not take me long to trace the rumours and discover that the Exemplar believed she was digging for Ahn’Sehlota. I notified Krenshar who notified the Decemvirate, who took the possibility very seriously. The Decemvirate sent back orders that they had selected Professor Hoffenburrow to search the pyramid. The Decemvirate is after something very specific."
The Scarab removes a pouch attached to her belt and begins to search through it as she continues.
"I was then told that Krenshar would send me a group of professionals who would slow the dig down and prevent the pyramid from being unearthed before Hoffenburrow arrived. My job was to cooperate and find a way to get Hoffenburrow inside the camp. Once he was inside, I was to then tell these pros their job delaying the dig was complete and they could let Khymrasa finish the excavation. If I follow what Gandel has told me though, instead of sending me the crack team he promised, Krenshar instead sent Lady Thalia and the whole thing went south very quickly."
"I'm sorry - did you say 'Lady Thalia'? Have you heard of her before?" Gandel asks, concern evident in his tone.
"When we were scouting the dig site earlier, we saw Thalia at the bottom of the excavation with the rest of the Exemplar's entourage. I would swear that she saw us as well, but she didn't raise an alarm at that time. In fact, she seemed to be studiously ignoring us."
"As far as slowing down the excavation - we did rig that massive lift to give way the next time it was raised. It may be too little too late now, though."
"I'm sorry - did you say 'Lady Thalia'? Have you heard of her before?" Gandel asks, concern evident in his tone.
-
"I did. She showed up here just a few days ago and from what I've been able to learn, very quickly worked her way into the Exemplar's inner circle. Many people adore her, slave masters, and guards alike. You filled in the missing piece for me back at the monk's grave when you told me she was with your group. Earlier you also called her a druid. She certainly doesn't sound like any druid I've ever met."
"When we were scouting the dig site earlier, we saw Thalia at the bottom of the excavation with the rest of the Exemplar's entourage. I would swear that she saw us as well, but she didn't raise an alarm at that time. In fact, she seemed to be studiously ignoring us."
-
"No offence, but you guys do kinda stick out. There's not a lot of dwarves and halflings here. Once we're done here, I'll see what I can do about proper disguises. Are you sure she saw you? If she turned you in no doubt she could get even further in the Exemplar's graces."
"As far as slowing down the excavation - we did rig that massive lift to give way the next time it was raised. It may be too little too late now, though."
-
She smiles. "Thanks, it never hurts to slow those guys down. But the situation has changed, drastically I'm afraid, and so have our priorities."
Listening to the conversation, Breach observes the Scarab through one eye, as if something's not right about her. Unable to keep quiet, "I've got a question. It's been buggin' me since the last time. What's your name? And I'm not interested in hearin', 'Mithral Scarab'. You're bound to 'ave a real name."
She flashes her smile, as though to assure Breach that that is something he's never going to know. "And I suppose you're going to tell me your mother named you Breach?"
Changing the subject she asks, "Now did Krenshar tell any of you what Professor Hoffenburrow has been ordered to retrieve from Ahn'Sehlota?"
"He did not tell me but then I am not a Pathfinder. I am here for other reasons. Tell me what do you know about Legends of the Past forming Scarab's wall? In a series of divinations received from Pharasma as well as Angradd that was one of the verses. In my vision I saw you, that is how I recognized you in the dig site. On top of that what is Suekhan's count? Does the number 56 have any meaning for you? Perhaps these eyes you spotted on the way here are part of the vision, many eyes which watch the way who controls those eyes? Sorry I know that is a lot of questions but you are the first person we have met that might have an answer".
"He did not tell me but then I am not a Pathfinder. I am here for other reasons. Tell me what do you know about Legends of the Past forming Scarab's wall? In a series of divinations received from Pharasma as well as Angradd that was one of the verses. In my vision I saw you, that is how I recognized you in the dig site.
"She shakes her head. "No, sorry. It doesn't mean anything to me. Wait, hold it a second, maybe it does!" She collects her thoughts further:
"Did you receive your vision before the pyramid was unearthed? Before Ahn'Sehlota was uncovered, for the past week, I had been trying to slow down the dig. One of the biggest tools I had available to me was the proverbial rumor mill. It's a pretty powerful thing around here with so many slaves working in the hot sun with little information on what they were actually digging for. At night, I joined many of those campfires that you saw on your way in here. I had been spreading tales amongst the slaves and workers - some true, most exaggerated - about the hazards of digging up a pyramid of the Four Pharaohs of Ascension. I had spooked a lot of people into sneaking off into the night and deserting the dig, rather than unearthing something mortals might regret. I liked to think this activity had slowed down the rate of progress, but as you have seen, apparently not enough. Nothing can compete with Khymrasa's seemingly unlimited resources. Perhaps those rumors were my 'legends of the past', and my fight against the dig was my 'Scarab's Wall'."
"Aw, it's just speculation. Who am I to interpret the words of the gods? In any event, 'Scarab's Wall' was unsuccessful I fear, and my failure may have doomed Osirion more than I could have imagined when I started out."
Halstadt continues:
On top of that what is Suekhan's count? Does the number 56 have any meaning for you?
The word 'Suekhan' doesn't ring a bell I am afraid. Was that part of the vision too? The number fifty-six might though. I can't seem to put my finger on it right now, but the number fifty-six sounds oddly familiar. I'll think on that. Where did you come across it?
Perhaps these eyes you spotted on the way here are part of the vision, many eyes which watch the way who controls those eyes?
"Definitely," she says. "Those eyes belong to the Sand Sage, Khymrasa's hired expert Osiriontologist. He's also a wizard of no small ability. Those eyes are a powerful spell of some kind, I believe. He uses them to spy on all aspects of the dig site. They constantly roam the dunes and are especially prevalent in the Master Camp area. My experience has been whenever the eyes spot something of interest, a squadron of monks is dispatched very quickly.
"He's possibly the biggest reason I couldn't effectively slow the dig. I think he's on to me. Sometimes I feel like. . . it doesn't matter."
Sorry I know that is a lot of questions but you are the first person we have met that might have an answer".
"Not at all," she says, "this may be the one chance we get to catch each other up. Ask away. I will have questions too. Earlier you alluded to the fact that you were here for other reasons - why have you come? What is it that I do not know?"
(Success)
(Success)
(Success)
After 45 minutes of slow going, the Distraction Team finds a nice open stretch of atypically even sand which looks like it might be comfortable enough to encamp in. Besides, Karek, Moonpate and Hurgah are all exhausted. Let me know how the earth elemental works and whether encamping involves a fire or food. If there's a guard shift, I'd love details on that as well. The full moon is especially large tonight. If you were back in the northern lands of Avistan, you would say this was a night for lycanthropes.
-----
OK, if I have it right, Moon will now hit the sack in the hope of getting the required rest to re-prepare his spells. Hurgah will watch over him and Karek will circulate around the rim of the camp. No fire, no food, no elementals. It'll be a cold and uncomfortable night, but hopefully one undisturbed by patrols.
-----
Within minutes, Moonpate has fallen asleep. He is exhausted from the hard days ride from the Tumen oasis followed by two intense combats which almost completed depleted his spells, and a hasty withdrawal from the Exemplar’s dig site which included a foot-march over the rolling dunes at dusk. While the knowledge that patrols of Osirion soldiers and possibly Asmodean monks are searching for him should keep him awake, knowing that Hurgah stands over him gives him all the comfort he needs.
While Hurgah stands guard, Karek patrols, wandering their camp approximately 50 feet from where Moonpate sleeps, enabling the dwarf to keep the half-orc within site.
From time to time, Karek thinks he can hear signs of Osirian search parties, the feint blast of a signal horn or perhaps a shout carried on the wind. They are being searched for, but their pursuers sound to be far away, hopefully they keep their distance throughout the night.
Karek takes some comfort in the fact that it sounds as though many soldiers have been lured far away from the dig site, which should be of benefit to their comrades who are by now, hopefully well on the inside.
"I do not yet know my purpose. It shall be revealed to me once we enter the pyramid. At least that is what I believe, we must stop whatever forces were set into motion by these ancient rulers".
"I do not yet know my purpose. It shall be revealed to me once we enter the pyramid. At least that is what I believe, we must stop whatever forces were set into motion by these ancient rulers".
-----
The Scarab wonders if her Venture Captain knew the dwarf signed on for his own agenda. The wheels start turning in her head and she wonders if Gandel was aware. Then the light in her eyes begins to twinkle:“Well, if I may be so bold then Halstadt, I think I can preview for you what your purpose will be. I apologize for the weight of what is about to be placed upon you and your colleagues."
“When I started this mission, I thought I was delaying the dig so Professor Hoffenburrow could retrieve a valued prize. Seeds, if you can believe it. Somewhere in that pyramid is a cache of preserved seeds of an extinct desert crop. Hoffenburrow believes the seeds have significant historic value and need to be preserved for future generations. The Decemvirate, on the other hand, has figured out that if the lost crop is recovered and re-introduced it could be worth a fortune, in the right hands. I’m sure they’re both right.”
“I on the other hand, no longer give a rust monster’s crap about desert seeds.”
“I now know that Khymrasa did not unearth Ahn’Sehlota for seeds. I’ve discovered she is after a powerful artefact called the Pactstone. If she finds it she will doom Osirion.”
The Scarab looks at the dwarves, “How much has Gandel told you about the Four Pharaohs of Ascension?”
"We have heard quite a bit from Gandel on the subject. Though it would seem that you know more specific information on them. I suppose their lives would be interesting if I were still in a history lesson however I surmise that the real question here is what is the Pactstone and what does it do?"
"We have heard quite a bit from Gandel on the subject. Though it would seem that you know more specific information on them. I suppose their lives would be interesting if I were still in a history lesson however I surmise that the real question here is what is the Pactstone and what does it do?"
-----
“Everything!” the Scarab answers suddenly animated with passion.
“The Pactstone bound the four pharaohs to one another. Their lives, their destinies, became intertwined. Before the stone, the four pharaohs were at war. Once they were united, Osirion rose to hegemony of a kind not seen anywhere on Golarion. Their success was all because of the binding magic of the stone."
The half-elf slows herself down. "I fear a history lesson you will receive. I know you are not from here."
"Prior to the Four Pharaohs' unification in -1498 AR, Osirion’s people were divided as four separate dynasties contended for supremacy. As its resources were expended in internal squabbling, Osirion fell vulnerable to invasion by its neighbours. To avert catastrophe, the four tyrants came together in a solemn pact, forming a powerful junta of pharaohs. Initially, the suspicious emperors employed a regimented circuit of shield other spells to limit the risk of backstabbing and secured each other’s loyalty to the pact. Later, as their paranoia grew and demanded ever greater assurances, in order to maintain their accord the pharaohs bonded their destinies into a single fate. With the alliance complete, Osirion rose to an unprecedented prominence, fuelling its wealth with an enslaved underclass, sourced from its conquered neighbours. With their fates intertwined, the Four Pharaohs of Ascension lived together, ruled together and were fated to die together. Each year the Four Pharaohs would convene inside Ahn’Selota and perform a great ritual to renew their mystic pact – to do this, they used the Pact Stone."
“According to historical texts”, she says, looking to Gandel, well knowing he knows these details far better than her, “ultimately, at the end of their iron-fisted reign of terror, the four pharaohs fell ill and died from a mysterious incurable disease. In truth, only one pharaoh actually died and the other three were dragged to their deaths by the magic of the Pactstone that was once the secret to their success. Although several theories still circulate to this day, it was never known which pharaoh was the one that was truly fated to die and which three were merely sharing in their colleague's demise."
"From spying upon her, I have learned that Khymrasa seeks the stone to replace the diseased pharaoh. Her ally, the Sand Sage has revealed to her how this could be done. If she succeeds, what happens? I’m not certain, but in theory we have three ancient tyrants reborn, powerful once again with their newly minted partner, the new Fourth Pharaoh Khymrasa."
"How long will our Counsel of Sun and Sky and the Ruby Prince last against the force of the tyrants of histories’ greatest empire?" the Scarab asks rhetorically. "Osirion as we know it will either crumble into civil war, or plunge the lands into immortal despotism – no doubt that’s what the monks are here for. They mean to do whatever they can to make sure Khymrasa succeeds."
The Scarab looks Hal, Gandel and Breach in the eye. "I know you came here on the Venture Captain's promise of treasure, but the Pactstone has to be destroyed – or hidden forever – or whatever else can be done to keep it from Khymrasa. We have to find it before she does. And that Morgrym, I believe, is what the gods have sent you here to do. You've known for some time your destiny would lead you inside that pyramid. Did your vision not lead you to me?"
Breach listens intently to the woman. As she finishes with the history lesson, Breach strokes his beard a couple of times. "Is it Lydia? You look like a Lydia." He nods approvingly. "Aye, we'll destroy this stone for ya, lass, don't ya be for worryin'. If you can tell us, we'll need to be knowin' it's location and how to get to it and what kind o' protections it's got surroundin' it. Oh, and one other thing, 'twas my mother that named me Breach." He winks.
"HAH! I knew it! I just knew it!" Gandel exclaims, a gleam of excitement in his eye. "Krenshar wouldn't say anything one way or the other, but I just knew the Pactstone would be here!"
"Of course we'll help keep the Exemplar from finding the Pactstone! But must it really be destroyed? What if we just removed it from Osirion and stored it in a secure place - say, at the Society's headquarters in Absalom - where it could be studied in safety?"
Breach listens intently to the woman. As she finishes with the history lesson, Breach strokes his beard a couple of times. "Is it Lydia? You look like a Lydia." He nods approvingly.
-
“Yes, it is. That was uncanny,” she answers hoping to placate the strange dwarf. Clearly nothing phases this one, she decided. She just laid out a doomsday scenario and he's still trying to guess her name."Aye, we'll destroy this stone for ya, lass, don't ya be for worryin'. If you can tell us, we'll need to be knowin' it's location and how to get to it and what kind o' protections it's got surroundin' it.
-
She smiles with relief, knowing that few would be willing to venture inside Ahn'Sehlota. Perhaps Krenshar's recruitment was better than she first thought. “It’s in Ahn’Sehlota,” she says. “It’s in the pyramid.”
“I’m afraid that’s all I know – it’s been millennia since the Pact Stone was ever used.”
“Oh, and one other thing, 'twas my mother that named me Breach." He winks.
-
She smiles. “Well I am grateful for your help then Breach – your Mother would be proud.”
"HAH! I knew it! I just knew it!" Gandel exclaims, a gleam of excitement in his eye. "Krenshar wouldn't say anything one way or the other, but I just knew the Pactstone would be here!"
"Of course we'll help keep the Exemplar from finding the Pactstone! But must it really be destroyed? What if we just removed it from Osirion and stored it in a secure place - say, at the Society's headquarters in Absalom - where it could be studied in safety?"
-
“The Society can keep it as a cereal bowl for all I care,” she says fully able to understand a Pathfinder’s well-intended obsession with the preservation of relics, a desire she shared herself, not only as a Pathfinder but also as a proud Osirian. “But it must not fall into Khymrasa’s hands – or into the Shrine of Horns’,” she adds. “The Stone is a terrible weapon.”
“But it must not fall into Khymrasa’s hands – or into the Shrine of Horns’,” she adds. “The Stone is a terrible weapon.”
"Then stopping that from happening is why I must be here. I am afraid I must disagree with you Gandel, the Stone must be sundered. It is too powerful to fall into the wrong hands. I am not judging you or your pathfinders but halflings like humans are short-lived and thus somewhat short-sighted. Who is to say that a century from now one of your Venture Captains would not decide to use it for sinister purposes? I mean no offense in what I say and I hope you take none my friend".
. . . Within minutes, Moonpate has fallen asleep. He is exhausted from the hard days ride from the Tumen oasis followed by two intense combats which almost completed depleted his spells, and a hasty withdrawal from the Exemplar’s dig site which included a foot-march over the rolling dunes at dusk. While the knowledge that patrols of Osirion soldiers and possibly Asmodean monks are searching for him should keep him awake, knowing that Hurgah stands over him gives him all the comfort he needs.
While Hurgah stands guard, Karek patrols, wandering their camp approximately 50 feet from where Moonpate sleeps, enabling the dwarf to keep the half-orc within site.
From time to time, Karek thinks he can hear signs of Osirian search parties, the feint blast of a signal horn or perhaps a shout carried on the wind. They are being searched for, but their pursuers sound to be far away, hopefully they keep their distance throughout the night.
Karek takes some comfort in the fact that it sounds as though many soldiers have been lured far away from the dig site, which should be of benefit to their comrades who are by now, hopefully well on the inside.
-
An hour passes; Hurgah and Karek begin to grow more confident. Moonpate continues to sleep like a baby, a very large baby. The over-sized supermoon climbs towards its apex. The night is once again so clear and bright that the stars slowly begin to reveal the truth of their sheer numbers, appearing as great bands in the night sky.
Hurgah is all for letting Pate rest first, but at some point he needs rest too to recover his own magic.
Hurgah is all for letting Pate rest first, but at some point he needs rest too to recover his own magic.
-
Roaming the sands, Karek keeps his senses tuned for any signs of pursuit. He also hopes, almost against hope, that he will hear a small sign of a faithful companion coming home.
-----
An hour into his vigil he returns to where the half-orc stands over Moonpate. Dake yer res, doo. Ay'll wake ye if someone comes.
Hurgah grumbles something uninteligble in response, then hunkers down and is soon fast asleep.
He nods sternly at the young girl. "Well alright then, lass. We just need to find ourselves a way inside the pyramid and we'll take care o' the rest. Oh, and I'm for destroyin' the stone as well, Gandel. Just so ya know." He pats him on the back. "Well, Lydia, I'm guessin' you know the best way in? If not, we'll figure it out. These lads are smart, they'll come up with somethin'." He grins wryly.
"I guess I see your point," Gandel reluctantly agrees with Hal and Breach. "As long as I get to see it, at least, I'll be happy."
He nods sternly at the young girl. "Well alright then, lass. We just need to find ourselves a way inside the pyramid and we'll take care o' the rest. Oh, and I'm for destroyin' the stone as well, Gandel. Just so ya know." He pats him on the back. "Well, Lydia, I'm guessin' you know the best way in? If not, we'll figure it out. These lads are smart, they'll come up with somethin'." He grins wryly.
-
“I’m glad, because right now I have no idea how we’ll get you all inside. As you have seen, the pyramid is swarming with guards night and day.”
Karek resumes his circular wandering, his eyes alternating from darkvision to normal as he scans the dunelands for signs of threats or perhaps, just maybe, just maybe, Bunky.
He sees nothing but a soulless GM who waits to taunt him. Another hour passes.
Two more hours pass by as Karek continues to patrol. Hurgah and Moonpate are apparently engaged in a log sawing competition as their snores engage in an action-packed duel.
Karek spots something atop the highest dune about forty feet away. It’s small, perhaps the size of a fist – whatever it is, it's motionless. He could have sworn it wasn’t there the last time he traversed this way.
OOC:
So my sense is that Hal, Gandel and Breach have done all the interaction with the Mithral Scarab that they intend to. If I am wrong, don’t hesitate to ask more questions or otherwise interact, I always enjoy chatting as an NPC.
But if I am right, then the Scarab is going to exit the hideaway and leave you there for a time. She is going to try to make good on her offer for disguises and take care of a few other tasks. The spellcasters will need their 8-hours of rest if they want to prepare spells at dawn. But I appreciate the Scarab has just dropped some major plot points, so I don’t want to cut anybody off with too rapid an exit. For now, she's available.
No, still no levelling I am afraid. The late Vellaneer was only 4th level after all. And while the lift sabotage was pretty cool, we're splitting XP amongst a lot of PCs.
Sounds like Hal will curl up in the Scarab's 'fish bowl'. In theory he should simply regain his spells by morning.
If I don't hear from Breach or Gandel, I'll assume they follow Hal's lead.
Gandel listens attentively to 'Lydia's' dissertation.
"So, why is the Shrine of Horns involved?" Gandel asks when she finishes speaking.
Gandel listens attentively to 'Lydia's' dissertation.
"So, why is the Shrine of Horns involved?" Gandel asks when she finishes speaking.
-
The Scarab is impressed that Gandel knows of the Shrine of Horns - clearly he is well versed in all breadth of lore. It took her days to quietly learn the Chelaxian collaborators' identity.
"That," she says, "I don't know."
"If I had to guess, I'd say they have allied with Khymrasa but plan to stab her in the back once she has the stone. It's also possible the Shrine of Horns has decided to back the Exemplar early, before she rises to power, in exchange for a favorable alliance with Cheliax once she ascends. Asmodeus does not have much of a following in these lands - the God Fiend is almost unheard of. Perhaps this is a chance for their faith to make a significant in-road."
You can tell the Scarab is not warm to that last idea.
Gandel nods as he listens to 'Lydia's' reply. "I see. Neither option sounds good for us or anyone else. Well, I guess we better rest up now so we can be ready to save world tomorrow."
Karek continues walking, not letting on that he's noticed anything. He attempts to surreptitiously get closer and figure out just what he is seeing. He has one phantom hope, and one realistic idea. He will only deviate a teensy bit away from his guard around Moonpate and Hurgah.
Karek continues walking, not letting on that he's noticed anything. He attempts to surreptitiously get closer and figure out just what he is seeing. He has one phantom hope, and one realistic idea. He will only deviate a teensy bit away from his guard around Moonpate and Hurgah.
-
OOC: OK, Hal, Breach and Gandel all fall asleep in the Scarab’s dimensional bubble secreted inside her non-descript tent. They too have had an excruciatingly long day and it feels wondrous as their lids close over the eyes and they drift away.
Now, just give me a minute to see if you trusting souls live to see morning. . .
Not to be too overly optimistic as to their survival chances, but I’d be grateful if someone could let me know what the plans are for the morning. I appreciate there will be spell selection and then possibly a casting of sending or two, but do we know anything further?
The Infiltration slumbers away, their weary minds shutting away that they are in the heart of hostile territory, when suddenly. . .
“Gandel, Hal, BREACH!”
Who is that voice? It sounds familiar.
“Wake up!”
It’s the Scarab – er, or was it Lydia. Why is she poking you?
“Wake, up already!”
Where are you again? Oh right! The dig site.
“There’s not much time - You gotta move now!”
“C’mon! Everyone out of the dimensional pocket!”
“And Shhhhhhhh!”
Hearing the sense of urgency in Lydia's voice Hal bolts up ready for action. He grimaces at his inability to don his armor (Hal would not have slept in it as he had been sleeping in it for days and needed a break from it) but knows that Angradd has granted him a backup plan for just such an occurrence.
Hal will don his elven boots and cloak to ensure he is as silent as possible. He hesitates from asking any questions despite his desire to know what crisis has interrupted his planned breakfast!
Karek continues walking, not letting on that he's noticed anything. He attempts to surreptitiously get closer and figure out just what he is seeing. He has one phantom hope, and one realistic idea. He will only deviate a teensy bit away from his guard around Moonpate and Hurgah.
-
Karek makes another lap, doing his best to conceal that he has noticed anything. He widens his circuit just a couple of feet, now walking in a radius approximately 52 feet from his sleeping companions.As he views it from the corner of his eye, the object is still there. It is still not moving. Could someone have left a stone or an orb atop a dune? A piece of fruit maybe?
ZZZzzzzz.....
Karek gives a long look in the direction of his allies, and listens really hard for signs of company. Assuming he sees nothing suspicious, and he hears nothing out of the ordinary, he will head for the dune. Not directly for the orb, but he will skirt around it, and keep it in his line of sight. If it allows him, as he passes it, he will pick it up, and hurry back to his post.
Breach bolts upright, grabbing his axe and shield. "What it is, lass?! Have they found us?!" He looks around, eventually taking in what it was she was saying. Raising an eyebrow, "Alright, let's go."
Sooron has sand between his toes.