Malik is able to figure a rough price for each of the recently examined items, and also discern that the two previously unidentified potions are just like two of the potions they had already accounted for. The armor, though, still eludes him.
Elneiros is barely able to overcome the almost unbearable heat of the desert as they arrive into the city
Surubi works with the others to organize and lift the various treasures out of the tomb, but after several trips carrying heavy bags of loot up into the desert heat, 'his' back and scarves are soaked here and there with sweat, and 'his' body is swaying unnervingly with each step. Between deep, rasping, breaths 'he' manages to squeeze out "This one..." deep breath "is not used" deep breath "to the lifting part" deep breath "of this job."
Surubi sits down just above the open hole that is the inner entrance to the tomb, 'his' calves dangling into the hole where the temperature is just a little bit cooler.
When Chephren offers aid, the beleaguered and exhausted guide gladly accepts. "Thank you Mister Chephren, this one would gladly accept Anubis' blessings to cool off a little."
Upon being soaked from head to toe in water and the sweat that was already causing 'his' clothing to cling here and there it becomes clear... that the countours of "his" body are decidedly feminine.
"We should decide what to sell, what to keep, and what we think might sell for more elsewhere--if we can transport it there. It is probably best that we leave the few rooms we did not open as they are; we probably already found the main treasure stash. If someone believes otherwise, we can come back in the morning and look once more."
Malik looks in bewilderment at Surubi's clinging clothing. He has read about these things in the library, of course. Men whom the gods had cursed with breasts and the like...but this didn't seem like that. The whole person looked...delicate. Breaking off his glance, he shields his eyes, looking up at the sun to determine the relative time.
"Malik suggests..."
Brennan looked appreciatively at Suri's revealed form. "Figures. But still, it doesn't matter what you look like under there. You did a good job in the tomb. That's all that matters."
It takes her a moment before she realizes. You can almost see the gears clicking into place when she notices Malik and Brennan looking at her. Immediately her eyes go wide and she looks around, possibly for someplace to hide. "Ah... er... yes. I..." Surubi takes a step back and reflexively her arm covers her soaked chest. "I..." she looks at Andrei; to her, it seems almost as if he didn't even notice the change. Gus said to guide him, and that he would protect us. "Um, yes, thi... this one did as much as could be done." She moves, shakily, over to Andrei.
Andrei is both distracted and busy loading himself up with the heavy gear to even follow the conversation, "Yeah, kid, you did swell. So, Brennan, we load up these two with the big stuff and you and I can carry it between us."
---------------
The group hauls the heavy trove along with them into the Sunburst Market. This enormous open-air market forms the bustling heart of Wati. Decorated pillars mark out a regular grid, and various merchants hang attention-grabbing banners and samples of their wares from the painted sandstone columns. On a day like today, the open plaza is a maze of tents and tables that display goods ranging from artwork, cosmetics,
and food to weapons, poisons, and magical tomes. Traveling merchants from neighboring cities have come great distances to the Sunburst Market to ply their wares, and capitalize on the return of the Necropolis' legal looters.
While Brennan haggles an increase in coin over some of the treasures, Andrei decides that he will take some of the historical items and documents to the Grand Mausoleum. He'd rather they find their way into the hands of the church over the greedy hands of the common vendor.
After all the load has found a buyer, Andrei finds the group leaving the market. He informs them of the amount he made from selling to the church, and puts it in the pool. Once he receives his split, he informs them of his decision. He decides that taking anythings from the tombs didn't sit right with him. He hasn't really been in his own head almost since Brennan was marked by the mirror. He will return to the church, maybe see about getting a position of keeping the very market they stand in free of thieves.
"Malik is glad to have known you, Andrei. Malik hopes you fare well." He gives the paladin a stiff bow, then turns to his companions.
"Malik is quite excited about all this! Though it pains Malik to think of it as glorified grave-robbing, all this history being brought to light after all this time is a wonderful thing! We can learn so much about our ancestors, and about the events that led to this city being what it is today!" Malik breathes deeply a few times, clearly moved by everything going on.
"Malik will be going home now, to craft an item to help us in our next travel. Malik knew not what to expect, this first time delving. We now know better. Shall we meet tomorrow morning, friends?" The brown man smiles enthusiastically, nodding his head.
Brennan just nodded his head at Andrei as the man left them. He wouldn't miss the man, and the team would get by easily enough without him. Brennan was mostly interested in the money they could get from the articles they brought up from the tomb, and how he would be able to upgrade his equipment. Perhaps he should save for some new armor. That darkened mithril chain that he saw hanging on the form at the armory would be nice...
"Aren't we supposed to present our findings to the Pharasmins, firt? That'll tell us when we can get back to our...acquisitions."
The librarian nods at Brennan. "Yes, yes, of course. Malik forgot these things. Let us make haste to do so...the day is hot, and cool shade beckons."
"Yes Brennan, that is my undrestanding also," Chephren agrees.
"I must also inquire of the Grand Mausoleum for restorative magics to counter the scorpion poison I have been enduring."
------------------------------------
On Going Effects: Strength Damage -4 (-2 Str penalty);
The market is abuzz with teams returning, teams spending their newly acquired gains, and others sharing tales of their ventures. There is a lot of hustle and bustle, and people are fervently sharing their good or bad fortune in the day's adventures.
Even with the market at a fever pitch, it is easy to tell that it is not even half of those present for the lottery the day prior. There is the unanswered question of whether those teams will not return at all, or just haven't yet finished.
Teams pass by one another, giving nods of understanding, sour looks to those more fortunate, or wistful smiles for their own successes. There is talk amongst many about retreating to one of the many inns come nightfall to share a drink and exploits of the day, maybe learn from one another, or offer helpful advice.
The Pharasmin priests watch over the whole display from their perch at the Grand Mausoleum, their disdain for the proceedings present, but not advertised. Clerks of the temple stand ready at the front to answer any questions or requests. They are beset by teams or members eager to learn when the next draw will happen, and when they can return. The answer sweeping through the crowd is that another lottery will be held tomorrow evening to allow the remaining teams one more day within which to return.
Now that they are out of the Necopolis, Chephren makes a list of items that he thinks will be benificial the next time they go into the Necropolis.
Hmmm, well I need to see about removing the effects of that scorpion poison first. The weight of this backpack is really begining to be to much.
And I should see about some antitoxin elixirs, while I am at it.
And next I guess something to deal will all those bugs, maybe some alchemist fire and alkali flasks. That should do the trick well.
And now that I do have a bit of money, a vial of Holy Water of Anubis or Pharasma would be a great idea. I could probably get a potion of healing also from the Grand Mausoleum.
Anything else I try to convert to something a little lighter to carry.
He stops and looks down at the list he has been scrawling.
- Lesser Restoration Spell: 60gp
- Masterwork Backpack: 50gp
- Antitoxin: 50gp
- x3 Alchemist Fire: 60gp
- x3 Alkali Flask: 45gp
- Holy Water: 25gp
- Potion of CLW: 50gp
[+]Converting
- 50gp Gem: 50gp
- 4pp: 40gp
Total: 430gp
[+]Purchases
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On Going Effects: Strength Damage -4 (-2 Str penalty);
The members of the Sanctum of Silver and Gold are more than willing to offer spellcasting for the regular fees. They seem almost delighted as Abadarians to perform a divine task as a trade for coin.
The wizard follows the priest of Anubis to the Bank of Abadar. He inquires if he can exchange 400 gold pieces for 40 platinum pieces. Assuming this is agreeable, he grins as he is given the much lighter amount of coins in trade. He turns to Chephren and any others that are around. "Excellent, excellent! Shall we meet again tomorrow for lunch? That will give us time to start strategizing our next excursion."
"Well, if we're done here, I'm going to go find some place to cool off. I'll be at the Golden Serpent Inn if you need me. Just send one of the urchins to find me." Brennan hauled himself off to the inn where he had taken up a semi-permanent residence while he was in this area.
"On second thought, there were bugs in the beds last time I stayed there. I'll be at the Tooth and Hookah instead."
Malik shrugs. "Malik will join you at the Tooth and Hookah, Master Brennan. Although Malik will not be drinking, he will be setting a spell to paper!"
Malik beams at Brennan as they travel to the place. He inquires to the cost of a room, paying the price given without haggling. Once in his room, he pulls out his materials and starts the process of writing a scroll.
Elneiros spends the day making purchases before turning in at the local inn for the rest of the night.
Purchases
Alkali Salt X3 90GP
Alchemists Fire X2 40GP
Acid X2 20GP
Potion of CLW X2 100GP
Longbow X1 75GP
Blunt Arrows (20) 2GP
Studded Leather 25GP
Inn prices (Food plus bed for the night) XXGP
Total = 352GP
Selling
Leather Armour
Crossbow
"I also will be staying at the Tooth and Hookah. It seems that is the place to reside while the Necropolis is accessable."
On the way out of the necropolis, Surubi limps sheepishly, never straying far from oblivious Andrei's side. She glances at Brennan a few times frowning concernedly, then finally works up the courage to insert a few words into the appraisal discussion: "Mister Darkblade, perhaps your negotiations with the merchants at the bazaar would go better if that unfortunate rune were covered up? If you don't have anything appropriate, I could lend you one of my scarves - I'll have to adjust those in a moment anyway..." She does readjust her disguise, to cover up her gender and face as best as she can before they are back in town.
Catching a moment when Chephren is out of the general conversation, Surubi walks over to him. "Mister Chephren, do you have any more of Anubis' blessings for the day? This one's leg is still quite injured." she asks quietly. "This one has quite a way to walk for the evening..."
Surubi follows the group to the Sunburst Market, offerring the water in the five extra water skins to the many market beggars until the skins are empty. She is relived to see that Brennan is holding his own with the hard-haggling local merchants. She falls back a few times to make small purchases, and catches up with the group as the coins are shared out. When Andrei announces his departure, Surubi can't hide her dismay, but the disappointment cannot entirely extinguish the satisfied grin with which she ties a length of sky-blue ribbon to her new bow. She tags along with Malik and Chephren who head over to the Bank of Abadar, where she makes a proper offering to the god, that he may protect the city and its people, and then changes some of the money she still has into a few gems and platinum pieces.
When Malik and Chephren head back to the Tooth and Hookah, Surubi takes her leave and slips away to another part of town, but arrives at the inn almost at the same time as they do, only a little out of breath.
Pulling the scarves even further over the face, hunching over a little bit extra, and generally trying to make herself as inconspicuous as possible, Surubi slinks into the neighborhood she grew up in. Most grownups are in their courtyards anyway, enjoying the first evening cool after dinner, but a few younger kids are playing in the street. From around the corner, Surubi calls out the name of her youngest brother in a loud conspirational whisper. When he runs over, she hands him a small pouch: "Bring this to your mother, quick, before anyone sees - it's very very important! Now hurry!" As soon as she is satisfied that the pouch is delivered, she gets away as fast as she can without running.
Surubi spends the evening in the common room of the Tooth and Hookah, listening with half an ear to the many stories told. She looks a bit haggard, after little sleep last night and a long day in the crypt and a long evening running about town. Every now and then, she seems to space out: Just yesterday evening we were sitting here, deciding whether we were Architects of Doom or Architects of Fate... Yet every few minutes she looks up and scans the room purposefully. Her face lights up for half a moment at every half-orc warrior, only to sag again at the unsightly yellow tusks with unappetizing bits stuck to them.
"Mister Darkblade! Mister Darkblade--look what I got today!" Surubi pulls a new, supple leather roll out of her pouch and unrolls it with a big grin. Inside is an exhaustive set of almost-shining metal tools, many more than one would commonly carry, but there are quite a few that look like they might be crucial to have in certain particular situations. Still excited over her acquisition, she continues, "Aren't they nice? They were quite expensive. But I think they're definitely worth it. And I was thinking about what to do with the smaller set, and I remembered that you broke one of yours down there today, and I thought maybe you would want my other set, just in case?" Her voice rises at the end, partly as a question, partly not quite certain where her train of thought was heading.
"Thanks for the thought, kid, but I replaced mine already. From the same vendor where you got yours, to judge by the stamp on the leather. Why don't you keep them as a backup set, just in case? Now,just in case you hadn't thought about it, waving these kind of things round in public isn't good. It gives people the wrong idea. They might think you're a thief, and any missing items get blamed on you. The headwrap doesn't exactly inspire confidence in that department, hey?"
For everyone in group:
For Surubi:
And then everyone should get some Hp after resting over night.
As the majority of the group make way to the Tooth and Hookah to find a place to settle in for the night, they notice that it is busy with many other teams of explorers. The sounds of drinking and sharing tales extends from the door even before it is opened. The building is a large, two-story structure, and above the door hangs a banner. The banner is colored with a bright green crocodile, sitting upright wearing a pharaonic cowl while pulling from a hookah resting in its palm.
The interior of the place is soft, by multiple definitions of the word. The walls are blanketed in silks that mute the bright light normally reflected off the bleached mud brick walls all too common in Osirion. The floor is covered in decorative woven rugs, and setting interspersed throughout the common room are low round tables. Each of these tables is surrounded by many round, cylindrical, or crescent pillows resting on the floor, and the center of each table is consumed by a large water-pipe.
The smell of smoke is fairly thick in the air, a sickly-sweet aroma of spiced tobaccos. Voices all clamor together in a cacophany of varied conversations. From the front of the room, you can make out a bar, and a set of stairs obviously leading up to the second floor.
There are all manner of patrons within, to include Ulfen, Rahadoumi, Nexian, Qadiran, Taldan, a group of halflings, and a fair amount of Osirian natives.
Gabriel surveys the crowd, watching the returning teams of explorers seemingly without interest. He leans on the bar, sipping his drink slowly.
"Now you have to join forces with another adventuring group you meet here." That is easy for her to say. Ash and bones, with so many groups here, how am I supposed to know which is the right one. I could watch out for a sign but I am not sure I may count on Pharasma to provide me with one… Well, I just have to wait and see.
At least those Clowns are not here, I wonder what happened to them.
Brennan entered the Tooth and Hookah with his nose wrinkled. He didn't have a problem with the smoke, except that it dulled the senses he relied on for his occupation and his life.
Sure, your occupation. Made out real well in there, didn't you? The damn cleric was better at spotting traps than you. And the heat, why couldn't I pick someplace cool and wet to hang by boots?
He wandered over to the proprietor, at least he assumed the man was such, and bargained for a night's stay. The place was packed, but Brennan was able to get a room, though not for much less than the asking price. He went up to his room, deposited the least valued of his items, and then went back downstairs, taking the time to both lock the door and soap the handle for good measure.
Grabbing one of the few empty tables, Brennan ordered a water, followed by a chilled wine, and sat with his back to the wall, looking out at the crowd.
As the sun begins to set, Chephren enters the Tooth and Hookah with a bit more spring in his step, and begins surveying the crowd.
All sorts of foreigners in here, I guess I did not realize the draw the Necropolis would provide. At least all the treasures must go through the Grand Mausoleum before they are taken from Osirion. Let me see if Brennan's and Surubi's instructions can help me find my friends in here.
Seeing Brennan, he heads to the bar to get some water, before joining his comrade.
"Well that was a bit of an adventure, wouldn't you say," he says as he pulls a couple of pillows from another table to sit opposite Brennan. "I have never been in a crypt with two burial chambers before."
"Do we have to pay to use the hooka, or just provide our own weed?
------------------------------------
On Going Effects:
Brennan cast a sour glance at Chephren, but decided the cleric was just being friendly. "You rent the hookah by the table if you provide your own weed, but if you buy from the house, it comes with a free rental. Just stay away from the Divoli Red. That stuff's just nasty."
Malik comes sauntering up to the table, wide smile on his face. "Mind if Malik joins you for a bit? Malik needs to scribe a scroll this evening, but figured a little breather was in order after today's success!"
As you start to gather as a group around one of the few free tables, an uncommonly red-haired Ulfen woman gets up from her conversation with the table of halflings and approaches. Accompanying her is a Rahadoumi woman wearing, of all things, a holy symbol of Iomedae. The Ulfen woman arrives at the table, and introduces herself, with a light Ulfen accent. "I yam Sigrun Firehair, leader of the Daughters of the Desert. Did you men travel into the Necropolis today? If so, how did you fare? I thought I heard the vord success."
Surubi enters the Tooth and Hookah some while after sunset. Her journey through the town took longer than expected, in part because she had spent some time reminiscing as she walked through "the old neighborhood," and in part because she had taken the long way around to the inn so that she would not have to walk through a very bad neighborhood by herself.
The bustle of adventurers in the crowded inn doesn't surprise the cloaked figure, nor does it seem to notice or care about her entry into the room; however she looks around, daunted and almost confused, hoping to see some sign of her companions, or maybe of Gus. He would know just what to do here.
She steels herself and takes a few steps inside. She looks around again, but, as with trees and forests, she cannot find her group of foreigners and adventurers because of all the... foreigners and adventurers.
A ways off to her left is a table with a handful of halflings giggling and sharing a huge meal--and even bigger bowl of pipeweed. A voice catches her attention. There's a large woman blustering over the noise of the crowd about... Oh! There's Mister Darkblade - ad Mister Chepren and Mister Malik!
Surubi shifts, spins and squiggles her way through the various people in the room until she closes in on the people she... sort of knows.
"Good evening Mister Darkblade. Good evening Mister Chephren. Good evening Mister Malik. This one would be honored to know who this lady is." she says, looking at the Ulfen woman, then follows with "Or either of them." while looking at the Rahadoumi.
Elneiros arrives at the inn exhausted from the day spent bartering. As he steps inside he is a bit taken by the the strong smell of the place. Must we meet here...He thinks to himself as he makes his way to the bar to grab a drink. "Uh excuse me. Do you have any Elven drinks? Or perhaps Ipeq Beer? I have grown quite fond of that. If not I will just take some water."
After he attains a drink Elneiros attempts to scope the Inn for his companions. After a few minutes of looking he finds the group and moves to join them.
"I hope I am not interrupting. Bartering took a bit longer than expected. May I join you all?
The librarian smiles widely at Surubi, nodding emphatically. "Please join us, Malik would be delighted! This lady is Sigrun Firehair, leader of the Daughters of the Desert. Malik knows not her Iomedaean companion, though Malik would be honored to know her, as well."
He turns his head slightly, addressing the red-headed newcomer with perhaps a lack of cleverness. "Indeed! Our group was very fortunate and happened upon a fair amount of historic artifacts that, with a proper amount of restoration, will be available for all to see!"
Brennan rolled his eyes at Malik and took a deep pull from his mug. Why doesn't he just tell them we're rolling in cash, and offer to show them where we keep our money pouches while he's at it.?
"Why? What's it to you, sister?"
"Yes, the Guardian of the Tomb and the Lady of the Graves, provided the protection needed to restore great treasures of antiquity to the nation of Osirion. Did the Inheritor protect your endeavors also?"
With a smile, Chephren shifts his position on the pillows to allow the ladies to join them.
"Brennan, this is a time to share in the experience of the Necropolis. The Pharasmarians may close and seal the gates any time, delaying histories and triumphs of Osirion from being known. If we share our encounters with others and they with us, we may better prepare ourselves for the dangers that Necopolis stores. Then the treasures of Ancient Osirion are returned, the glory of my Nation can be revisited by all. So much was stolen and lost to the Keleshites invaders," he spits with disgust after he says the name, "that an opportunity as this should not be wasted."
"Look, bub. That may sound fine in your head, but where I come from we don't talk about hauls with outsiders. It's a good way to wake up with your throat slashed and your gems gone."
He turned to address the woman. "No offense, sister. I'm sure your motives are as pure as driven snow. Or at least as the historians' here."
The woman smiles as Malik eagerly talks of the group's success, but lifts an eyebrow at Brennan's initially curt response. Her Iomedaen companion scowls and looks about to speak, but Sigrun raises a hand to stop her. Sigrun appears to get a fierce look in her eye, not one of anger, as much as appreciation for a strong opponent. Despite Brennan's opposition, Sigrun takes the proferred seat next to Chephren. She faces Brennan directly, giving him a level stare as she continues to respond to Malik and Chephren, "Historic artifacts? Dat sounds like you guys drew somesinG of import from de lottery. Vas it dangerous?" Her eyes flash with excitement, "Surely dere is a tale of de perils you faced to unearth dese treasures?"
"Indeed! The greatest of these was a terrible armored snake construct that threatened our group with its fangs. It even had potent poison, still residing there after however many decades of neglect!" Malik nearly bobs up and down with excitement, happy to share the experience. "Of course, Malik's brave companions wore the creature down and ultimately disposed of it, with little injury."
The librarian grins widely, nodding as he asks, "How about your group, Lady Sigrun? Did you fare well in your delving?"
The fiery-haired Ulfen woman nods as Malik speaks, paraphrasing his story, as if tasting it with different words. "A deadly poisonous serpent, made not from flesh and scale, but from anvil-forged steel? Sounds delightfully dangerous." on his return question she makes an unimpressed face, feigning boredom, "Oh, de lottery vas kind to us. Ve vere given a vell-to-do location to explore. NotinG too excitinG, but at least vort our time."
At her comment, another woman speaks up, her voice bearing the strong clip of a proper Taldan education. "The Lottery? That is a bunch of pompous Pharasmin b@#!*~!!. They are just using it to control who gets which locations. I would not be surprised if they were even taking bribes or showing favoritism. You notice, we never get to see the draws that they pull for the other teams?"
Through the crowd, the first sight of the woman comes in the form of a very wide-brimmed, rich-purple hat, replete with the obligatory feather. As she nears, you see she is an attractive woman, buried in what could only be described as the outfit of a Taldan dandy. She wears a purple shirt matching the color of her hat, with a long cape-like tail draped down the back. Her hair is long, but visibly tucked up under the hat. Around her neck is a leather thong, where dangles a small mask, one half black and the other white. She continues her diatribe, "I believe the selection should involve rightful ownership and property rights. It is imbecilic to think the Pharasmins know who should have rights to which tomb."
"Does Taldor have a claim on something in the Necropolis? I did not realize thier nation had any large influence with Osirion when Wati was closed. Or are you saying that there is a claim by the Churh of Nethys?"
"She's saying that she didn't get as lucrative a selection as she was hoping for, and that someone obviously paid the Pharasims to get the tombs with the best loot." Brennan raised his mug in a mocking toast to the newcomer.
Sigrun lifts an eyebrow and smirks at Brennan, with a light cock of the head to indicate he may be on to something. The Taldan, however, just sneers at him with disdain. "I am not some petty thief," she spits the word at him accusingly, "just in town to plunder ancient riches for no greater purpose than lining my pockets. Unlike some, I have a higher calling."
She nods to Chephren, "I am Velriana Hypaxes, of the Church of Nethys." There are two others nearby nodding, also wearing the symbol of Nethys, certainly looking as if they are with her. "The power of Nethys was present here long before the Pharasmins decided to come in and lay claim to all of the place. There are places of holy signifigance to my god, and I think that we, as representatives of the church, should be given first rights to claim any territory or property that belongs to the church of Nethys."
She clenches her fist and grits her teeth in anger, "But those damned Pharasmins refuse to acknowledge our claim. Therefore, I must take matters into my own hands. If, during the lottery, anyone draws the chit for someplace relevant to Nethys, I will pay them a sum of one thousand gold to trade draws with them."
There are murmurs going around, nods of agreement that the amount may well be worth it, considering some building are no more than simple houses with little to no value inside.
Brennan smiled easily at the woman, letting the implied insult roll off of him like rain from an oilcloak. He enjoyed money, or to be specific he enjoyed the things money could purchase, and had absolutely no problems with lining his pockets with it. "Now that is some offer. Maybe we'll have an opportunity to take you up on it tomorrow"