Once the stairwell has been determined safe by Holbrecht blundering down before allowing Kachu to safely examine them, Nulyth follows behind Neferteri. He stops behind the two, his face displaying more than a little bit of irritation. "I was brought into this group to protect you all. If you will not allow me to do my job, then perhaps I should simply stand to the rear until there is something to swing my sword at?"
Holbrecht looks back at Nulyth's frustration, "Oh? Yes. I'm not sure I understand your frustration. You are here to protect us against animated enemies. When it comes to finding and removing the threat from inanimate defenses, like traps or pitfalls, some of us are better suited. Heck, I was even pushing for you to be the first to open both doors.... the monkey was the one to do it while you were on the other side.... but seeing no enemies, I don't get the offense...maybe it's because there hasn't been anything for him to really fight or do in his role.... I could see how that could get tiresome... maybe we will get lucky and face something for him to protect us from.... heh, lucky? perspective changes everything. DOn't worry, before we open either door, I agree that you should be first to do so each time."
Nulyth's frustration is visibly lessened by the logic of their words and nods. "You both are correct. I apologize for behaving so rashly." He looks at the rest of the group after it is determined the door is apparently safe. Once again he leans his weapon against the wall before opening the doors slowly, prepared to reach for his glaive should an enemy suddenly appear.
As the southern doors are opened, a chamber is revealed beyond. Alexander quickly throws up his dancing lights into the room and has them take up positions in each corner. A massive mirror stretches across the southern wall of this chamber, flanked by two statues. The statue to the east depicts a tall, gaunt woman in a flowing, hooded gown, holding an hourglass. The figure to the west is that of a jackal-headed man carrying a scepter or staff in his hand. Stone double doors, standing slightly ajar, lead to the east and west. Torch holders sculpted in the shape of bird skulls are built in each corner, and a thin layer of dust covers every surface. The dust looks like it has been disturbed in a few places.
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Current Location: Tomb of Akhentepi: Foyer, Date: Wealday, Pharast 26th, 4714 Time: 10:21 am, Temperature: 101 (Outside) 91 (Current Location) degrees
Lin gulps and shoots at look at Alexander. "Any magic?"
"Yes, yes, a moment," Alexander says, his attention on the statues. "Hmm, hm. Magic. Yes. Occultum video!" The old man raised his cane as though it were an orchestra conductor's baton and gazes upon the room.
Straining their sight from the doorway without entering the room, the group of adventurers try to determine more details about the area.
Studying the statues you can identify the eastern statue as the goddess Pharasma. However the western statue you can not quite put your finger on who it represents.
Detecting magic in the chamber, the large mirror does detect with the presence of magic. It is faint.
You can not determine what made the marks in the dust. However it does look recently disturbed.
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Current Location: Tomb of Akhentepi: Chamber of Reflection, Date: Wealday, Pharast 26th, 4714 Time: 10:22 am, Temperature: 101 (Outside) 91 (Current Location) degrees
"I need time to analyze this aura," Alexander says, squinting at the mirror. "No one move into the room. Wait... wait..." The old man's eyes glow pale blue, darken to inky black, then shine bright gold before returning to normal.
Alexander swears under his breath. "Neferteri, if you can... Please assist me," he says. "I am having trouble identifying this dweomer."
Holbrecht begins with his casting of detect poison, and is just about to enter the room before Alexander calls a halt while inspecting the mirror. Sans any signs of poison, he will busy himself with looking at the statues and the unsettled dust... as best he can without entering... that is, until Alexander gives the all clear.
After studying the mirror for three rounds Alexander's forehead becomes increasingly hot, smoke begins to rise from the top of his head as the others around him can now smell burning flesh. The word THIEF appears on his forehead as if branded by an invisible entity.
A moment later he saw another reflection come into focus standing beside him in the mirror. It had the likeness of Akhentepi as depicted elsewhere throughout the tomb: a human man with bronzed skin in his forties, wearing white ceremonial robes and a headdress. The reflected image of Akhentepi also appeared stern and disapproving.
You could not determine the school of magic.
A brand can be hidden by clothing or removed by scraping it away (causing 1d6 points of damage), though the brand returns if the damage is healed. This magical mark will not go away for 5 days.
You detect no poison. See Survival DC13 in earlier post for the tracking attempt.
Alexander cries out with pain, hands clasping his forehead and his face turning pale. The next moment, however, his eyes flash with anger.
"Nisil mors, nisil vivens, rescendendam es!"
The old Wizard chants a spell and throws out his hand. A beam of bright, golden light lances out at the image of Akhentepi in the mirror!
The golden ray of light leaps forth from Alexander's hand toward the mirror and the image of Akhentepi, as the ray reaches the mirror the ray dissipates harmlessly. The mirror unharmed. Any member of the group that sees themselves in the mirror, sees their own reflection directed back at them, except no matter what facial expression they make their reflection is always stern and disapproving. The image of Akhentepi is always seen next to the person looking in the mirror. So Alexander sees it by him, others of the party see it by their image. Always disapproving, always stern just like their own reflections.
Nulyth looks at the disturbance in the dust and examines the statues, trying to determine if he recognizes anything about either. His eyes roam over the mirror and he spots the strange reflection... As he starts to mention something he suddenly recognizes the smell of burning flesh coming to the rear of him and hears Alexander yelp in pain.
He spins around to see the brand on his forward and leans back as the older man suddenly fires off a golden ray at the mirror. "Alexander! What happened?" He turns once more back towards the empty room, weapon at the ready. He takes a few moments and activates his holy powers to search the room for any sign of evil intent...
Studying the statues you can identify the eastern statue as the goddess Pharasma. You can identify the western statue as Anubis, the ancient Osirian god of burials and tombs.
You detect no evil in the room.
Holbrecht smells the burning, but isn't able to place it until Alexander exclaims and attacks the mirror. Then he turns and sees the writing seared into the man's forehead. "Who... what happened? Is there an enemy?" Turning back to the mirror, he sees the reflection of Akhentepi beside him, and jumps a little.
He grabs his warhammer and prods the space beside him where the man appears in the mirror, lightly swinging it to see if there is any solid object filling it. He scrutinizes the mirror to determine how and why the image is there, and why his own face looks back at him dissapprovingly. As he looks, he hazards a warning back at the man, "Alexander, don't forget that 'Every slave's hut is a memorial' and try not to intentionally attack or destroy the contents of the tomb....it's one of the rules.... I wrote them down...granted I'm not certain what you or it did..."
Holbrecht's prodding of the space next to him only turns up empty air. Obviously the image of Akhentepi is only a figment, a trick of some kind, some device.
Such mirrors must have been devised to encourage would-be thieves to empathize with those whose tombs they were desecrating.
Holbrecht purses his lips, and actually closely matches the look on his reflection's face. "I don't think it's a personal attack on you... or anyone here... I think it's just a deterrent... that just happeened to target you."
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Current Location: Tomb of Akhentepi: Chamber of Reflection, Date: Wealday, Pharast 26th, 4714 Time: 10:27 am, Temperature: 101 (Outside) 91 (Current Location) degrees
"That spell can not possibly cause structural damage," Alexander says, his voice grating angrily. "Nor would it harm living flesh. It only affects the undead, whose discomfort I sincerely doubt would bother the Lady of the Graves."
Lin and Kachu quickly avert their eyes from the mirror, not eager to have any burns of their own. Ling rips her mace. "Say the word, Alexander, and rules be damned I'll throw this and shatter that thing into a thousand pieces."
"I would prefer you attempt to identify whatever magic is upon this blasted thing," Alexander says. "But thank you very much for the offer; I truly appreciate it." He pats Lin on the shoulder -- awkward, but heartfelt.
Holbrecht shrugs, "Hey, don't get testy with me, I didn't make the mirror. I'm just reminding you of the rules in case anger clouding reason is an issue for you..... I mean it was kind of a knee-jerk reaction... you did attack a mirror... it would be like you attacking the dart trap above if it had hit you... just doesn't seem sensible..." His mumbling is jogged by Lin's statement.
"WHAT! No! There are rules, and we are meant to follow them. That is enough of that 'rules be damned' talk. We can't forget where we are and why we're allowed to even be here. If we disregard the rules, especially out of anger, then we are no better than unlawful tomb-robbers." He finishes with a huff and a scowl at the two humans.
"Kindly note that I selected a spell aimed specifically at the undead, not a generid spell of destruction, and that Lin only asked whether she should destroy the mirror," Alexander says, his eyebrows lowering. "No one is having knee-jerk reactions, and no one is saying we should forget the rules. Not even in anger."
A little miffed, he enters and begins to look the room over, first heading to the doors resting ajar to the east, then to the ones ajar to the west. He checks the room, each door, and what he can see beyond through the slightly opened doors as he moves about.
Holbrecht nods to Alexander's explanation, "Well, I know NOW what spell you cast. That doesn't change the fact that Lin was willing to disregard the rules at your behest or that your first reaction was to resort to violence in the face of uncertainty."
During the conversation Alexander notices that his reflection in the mirror doesn't have the branded word 'THIEF' on its forehead. It still looks at him disapproving however.
"My response was violence in the face of , and Lin only offered, she did nothing," Alexander says, lowering his hand so Holbrecht can see the livid brand on his forehead. He glares at the mirror. "Wonderful. A magical brand."
The old man glares right back at the mirror. "I came seeking no material wealth, you foolish security measure," he growls, "only the treasure of knowledge. Ahh, for more sophisticated guardians..."
You detect no traps of anykind other than the markings in the dust.
Peeking through the cracks where the doors are ajar you see the following.
East Doors at D8:
Peeking in through the crack with what little light is available to your dwarven eyes you see pillars line the walls of a rectangular chamber, interspersed with stone jackal heads extending from the walls. You can not see the far end of the chamber in color without opening the doors. The tracks in the dust continue through this room but you can not tell anything else without opening the doors. Your darkvision however allows you to make out a black and white stone block shape, possibly an altar at the far end.
West Doors at A8:
A flight of steps gradually descends to the west down this passage. Halfway down the stairs, small holes and burrowed tunnels riddle what remains of the passage’s southern wall. Earth and sand have spilled over the collapsed masonry, covering the stairs with dirt and rubble. Beyond that in black and white darkvision you see stone doors engraved with some markings that stand at the far end of the stairs.
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Current Location: Tomb of Akhentepi: Chamber of Reflection, Date: Wealday, Pharast 26th, 4714 Time: 10:28 am, Temperature: 101 (Outside) 91 (Current Location) degrees
Holbrecht summarizes what he sees as he moves around. Speaking first of the doors to the east, "The tracks go in here. Looks like an altar room, and I didn't see any passages beyond."
As he peers through the western doors, he just shrugs, "However, this is just more steps down. Most likely to a lower level. I would say we look at the altar room before we go any further down."
Nulyth joins Holbrecht after the all clear is given and approaches the eastern doors. "I agree, you should attempt to search all areas on a level before moving further down, to ensure we don't become trapped by someone or something." The paladin replaces his glaive with his shield and scimitar once again as he stands near the doors. "Let me know when you are ready to open the doors."
Holbrecht moves up to stand beside Nulyth and waits to see if everyone else is ready. As soon as he gets the sign or word he will pass it to Nulyth so they may enter.
Alexander limps into the room, keeping to the corner opposite the door Nulyth and Holbrecht are working on, and draws about an inch of steel on his sword cane -- all while ignoring the hateful mirror.
"Ready," he says.
Kachu sticks his tongue out at Holbrecht behind his back before stepping forward and entering the altar room with everyone else.
As the doors slowly open and the light from the dancing lights in the chamber of reflection spills into the room a clearer picture of what lies ahead is revealed...
Pillars line the walls of this rectangular chamber, interspersed with stone jackal heads extending from the walls. The light reflects off the pillars and jackal heads casting shadows everywhere within the room. Further back in the dim light you can see a stone altar, covered in a layer of dust, sits at the eastern end of the room. The same layer of dust lies on the floor of this chamber as well. The same type of tracks in the dust lead from the doorway to the altar. No one noticed the sudden burst of speed from two small sized creatures scurrying out from behind the altar toward the group. The tan-colored creatures look like ten-legged spiders. Oversized jaws grind together slowly beneath their beady eyes. They move very fast for creatures so small.
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Current Location: Tomb of Akhentepi: Preparation, Date: Wealday, Pharast 26th, 4714 Time: 10:29 am, Temperature: 101 (Outside) 91 (Current Location) degrees
Nulyth looks around the room, distracted by the designs in the room and does not spot the strange insects until they are upon him. He gives a start when he sees them and shouts back to his comrades. "Foes, make ready!"
He then slashes at the creature with his scimitar, unfortunately their sudden appearance put the paladin off on his attack and his blade misses by several inches.
Alexander draws his sword, and an invisible force sends it hurtling towards one of the scuttling creatures, flashing and stabbing, darting between Nulyth and Holbrecht, before carrying it right back to his hand.
The group being completely taken by surprise as the spider like creatures rushed from the dark shadows upon them, the light flickering into the room making them appear much larger than they actually were, nevertheless the snapping sounds of the mandibles and the clacking of their claws brought everyone to attention. Nulyth was the first to strike. Lashing outward with his scimitar at the approaching creature only to realize to late just how fast the small arachnoid creatures were as it easily dodged the blow. Neferteri was next to react, kicking up dust on the stairs with his quick movement to get into position. Neferteri drew his shortbow and fired, the arrow shattering harmlessly into splinters against the door frame next to Nulyth.
The creatures then advanced in toward the party bringing the full brunt of their attack to bear, claws and mandibles clicking and clacking in rapid succession. Nulyth side stepped one claw and then the mandible of the creature in front of him, he almost didn't see the other claw coming for him but managed to swat it away with his shield at the last possible moment. Looking over at his companion, Holbrecht wasn't fairing as lucky. The first slash from the creatures claw had drew first blood as it sunk into the dwarves fleshy ankle. Holbrecht then side stepped the next incoming claw attack and the mandibles landed their bite but could not penetrate the thick armor of chain that the dwarf wore.
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Current Location: Tomb of Akhentepi: Preparation, Date: Wealday, Pharast 26th, 4714 Time: 10:29 am, Temperature: 101 (Outside) 91 (Current Location) degrees
Holbrecht is completely startled both by the creatures sudden arrival, and painfully delivered bite. He stumbles over drawing his oft-unused warhammer, and swings rather wildly at the thing so recently right in his face. He comes nowhere close, and backpedals to stand behind the closest obstacle, which just so happens to be Nulyth. "Now's your chance, this is something you can protect us from. I'll be right behind you, ready to heal if you need it."
Round 2
Nulyth dodges or blocks the large arachnid's attacks, just barely bringing his shield around in time to deflect one of claws. He briefly nods at Holbrecht before bringing his scimitar down at one of the critters. "Just do not let them flank me!"
"In the name of Xienshing Zi- Skitter, slip and fall."
Cupping and throwing her ancestor's power, Lin grins and flicks a finger and a ghostly white droplet appears, falls to the floor beneath the spiders and explodes into a shining silver pool, shaking the spiders' footing.
Holbrecht swings rather wildly at the creature that had just injured him, he comes nowhere close. Holbrecht then shifts into a position behind his paladin companion. Seing an opening Alexander draws his sword, and an invisible force sends it hurtling towards the scuttling creature that was left in plan sight as Holbrecht shifted, flashing and stabbing, darting where Holbrecht stood just moments ago, before carrying it right back to his hand. Unfortunately the flashy display if magic proved ineffective as the creature jumped and dodged the blow. Lin Zi was up next, Cupping and throwing her ancestor's power, Lin grins and flicks a finger with the words, ""In the name of Xienshing Zi- Skitter, slip and fall." and a ghostly white droplet appears, falls to the floor beneath the spiders and explodes into a shining silver pool, shaking the spiders' footing. The creature in front of Nulyth looses its footing and falls prone.
Nulyth briefly nods at Holbrecht before bringing his scimitar down at the now prone critter in front of him. "Just do not let them flank me!" Nulyth's scimitar slicing deeply into the creature as it slips and slides in the grease on the floor. The creature's blood mixing in with the grease but it still struggles.
The creature struggling in the grease in front of Nulyth attempts to right itself. Seeing the opening, Nulyth strikes again with his scimitar making a crisscross slash on the creature's back with it's previous wound. The creature shakily makes it back to its feet. Bleeding and oozing it lashes out at its attacker, but Nulyth almost comically dodges the unsettled creatures blow. Then out of the corner of his eye Nulyth sees the attacks coming from the other one. The first claw hits but doesn't penetrate his armor, the second claw aims for exposed flesh but Nulyth swats it away with his shield moments before it draws his blood. Then the creature attempts to bite but Nulyth sidesteps the attack.
Managing somehow to land two blows on his foe and manages to fend off his attackers, Nulyth stands undamaged.
The fight continues.
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Current Location: Tomb of Akhentepi: Preparation Chamber, Date: Wealday, Pharast 26th, 4714 Time: 10:29 am, Temperature: 101 (Outside) 91 (Current Location) degrees