You walk over and check the door to the east, it is slightly ajar, made of smooth stone just like the ones you entered. You detect no traps.
So, which way do we go?
"Folks this one is already open. Well at least not fully closed. Let us check that part first!"
Peeking in through the crack with what little light is available to your human 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 without opening the doors. The tracks in the dust continue through this room but you can not tell anything else without opening the doors.
"I can tell you much of the old gods, Saedue. There is wisdom in their teachings. For instance, Anubis tells us that the dead are no longer subject to mortal laws or contracts. It is in that way that debt cannot pass to others upon death. For the same reason, the dead cannot be said to own anything. Ownership is an aspect of life. The one exempt from that rule is Great Osiris, a Lord of Ressurection, for whom life and death are one in the same. Arrogant men seeking to place themselves on par with Great Osiris build tombs in which their possessions are placed, and often refuse to be judged by Anubis when they die. Their spirits remain and they soon realize no amount of jewels, art, mummified pets or slaves will keep them satisfied. Their tomb becomes their prison and madness sets in, for mortals are not gods. Our minds are not meant to exist in both worlds as Great Osiris does."
"In nearly every instance it is covetousness, the simple desire for something, which leads a soul to unrest."
"Anubis teaches us that our worth is dependent on the weight of the burdens we carry. He places a feather upon one side of his scale, and we step onto the other. Then he questions us, reading from the book of life. For the heavy hatted the questions are as torture. Through our answers we gain enlightenment our spirit is made lighter. Only when we have released enough of our burden that the feather weighs more than ourselves to we gain entry into paradise."
"Some never let go. They step off the scales and return to their burdens instead. Some, in their arrogance, simply chose that from the beginning, dooming their souls for refusing to be judged."
Anset stared into the mirror for a few moments and shook his head in disapproval similarly to the way the ghost in the reflection had.
"You are dead, Ankhtepi. You own nothing any longer. Your mirror sits before two gods of death who's laws are clear. Your judgement no longer holds meaning in this world." he said quietly.
Anset's own reflection and that of Akhentepi stares back at him in disapproval as he gives his words of wisdom to Saedue.
Realizing now that it was just another device, such mirrors must have been devised to encourage would-be thieves to empathize with those whose tombs they were desecrating.
Dumah gives one last look at the mirror, taking into consideration all that has been discussed about it. It leads him to contemplate one last aspect of the arcane device: I wonder what it would sell for?
Dumah stays with Bjoern, giving him light as he peeks into the next chamber.
Even with Dumah's light, Bjoern will need to open the doors to let more light in before seeing more from just peeking.
Dumah to D9.
Please always refer to your square when moving so there is no guessing.
Thanks.
Amal rubs his hands together."Just a heads up though, it looks like somethings been burrowing through some of the wall on the other side of the door.... and there's stairs going further down."That mirror is a nice illusion but it won't stop me! He thinks to himself as he lets out a small chuckle under his breath."So! What way would you all rather go? I'll go either." Amal seemed to be in a more up-beat mood, causing him to become a bit more talkative.
After hearing Amal's words Malik voices his opinion to the group, "If as Amal says there is stairs through the western door I would consider heading through the eastern door first if it does not contain stairs, heading deeper into the tomb seems like it would take us closer to the end, but a little exploration could be rewarded," Malik nods as if his words decide everything, but he still looks at the others expectantly.
Dumah nods in agreement with Malik. "I'd prefer to finish going through this level before going down as well. If there's some guardian lurking hereabouts, I'd rather deal with it now than having it blocking a hasty retreat if that becomes necessary."
Amal looks over at Malik and Dumah, nodding."Aye. Patience is a virtue.. and to not search every inch of this place while we're here would be a terrible waste." Amal rolls his shoulders and stretches his arms a bit as if warming up."It's not like if we don't hurry the loot will disappear anyways.. The dead aren't going anywhere."Amal says the last part of his sentence with confidence and certainty.
"Let me hold the light. I am quite good with the shield, and even not unarmed with this beauty while holding the glowstick"
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Current Location: Tomb of Akhentepi: Chamber of Reflection, Date: Wealday, Pharast 26th, 4714 Time: 9:25 am, Temperature: 97 degrees outside the tomb, 82 degrees in current room.
Anset was quiet again as he waited for theories to determine their course.
"Does anyone object to going through Bjoern's door? Or should we head through once he is holding the torch?" Malik steps forward a little as he speaks, so he can look into the door when it is opened.
Amal, we've all heard tales about unquiet dead. I'd be glad if Anset can share with us any information he knows about the walking dead, how to fight them... It's better to be prepared while we are "safe", it's not the kind of thing you want to learn in the midst of a fight agaisnt rotten corpses.
Amal lets out a sigh towards Saedue as if she killed the mood."Calm down, I know, i'm not that naive.. it was a joke." Yet nobody laughed... He takes a few steps forward, getting ready for the door to be opened and he could peek inside.
When Amal and Bjoern are ready, Dumah will start to slowly push open the door with his free hand.
As the doors slowly open and the light from the sunrod 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. 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.
Perception for those that can see in the room.
Versus
Surprise Round Initiative
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Current Location: Tomb of Akhentepi: Chamber of Reflection, Date: Wealday, Pharast 26th, 4714 Time: 9:26 am, Temperature: 97 degrees outside the tomb, 82 degrees in current room.
Amal quickly draws his two short swords."Seems we got company." he mutters, readying himself for combat.
Two small sized creatures scurring out from behind the altar toward you. 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.
First Round Initiative
Versus
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Current Location: Tomb of Akhentepi: Chamber of Reflection, Date: Wealday, Pharast 26th, 4714 Time: 9:26 am, Temperature: 97 degrees outside the tomb, 82 degrees in current room.
Round 1
Dumah wrinkles his nose at the creatures, and moves to end their threat. He drops his shield arm to help protect his legs, draws his axe and lashes out at one when it gets close.
Move action: Ready Axe.
Standard action: attack creature in E9.
To hit
Damage
Saedue advances in the room, and her fingers touch her vials on her bandolier, finding what they seek quickly and mixing strange chemicals components, which bubble and give sparks
let's see if I can make myself useful...
Move action: in B8
Standard action: readies a bomb
Seeing the creature move up to him, Bjoern bashes it with his shield.
Malik draws his crossbow and loads a bolt, waiting for the opportune moment to fire.
Bjoern swats at the creature before him with his shield, missing wildly as the creature quickly darts out of the path, the shield kicking up the dust on the ground upon impact getting into Bjoern's eyes temporarily blinding him. Dumah at his side lowers his shield to block the creature and comes down mightily with his Dwarven Waraxe striking the creature in the brunt of it's body. The creatures blood goes flying as the axe tears away the hide from its back.
The spider like creature in front of Dumah slashes out with both claws and its bite, Dumah dances a little jig trying to avoid the incoming blows. One of the claws gets by his shield and slashes into his left leg, as his armor shows signs of blood seeping from the wound. The second legged menace brings all its weapons to bear against the blinded Bjoern, slashing its claws, the creature over exerts himself on the first claw attack and is fatigued and Bjoern manages somehow to avoid all the incoming attacks by blocking with his shield.
Round 2
Dumah curses under his breath as blood is drawn on him. Careless! he chides himself. You assumed one hit would kill it; careless! He strikes again. He holds his ground, hoping to keep the critters from rushing past him to his more vulnerable allies.
To hit
Damage
As his action Bjoern will go full defense and clean the sand from his eyes.
Malik attempts to fire into the melee but...
He misses terribly. A groan of frustration escapes his lips I am coming to the realization that my training has not led to being all that useful in a combat situation.
Amal shifts into an offensive stance, readying himself if one of the creatures comes his way.
Saedue seems reluctant to throw her vial
I can't hit the things without harming Bjoern and Dumah!
Malik aims his crossbow, trying not to hit either of his companions and fires, the bolt glancing off the floor by the creatures not even coming within close to its intended target. Luckily the shaft of the bolt did not break as it struck so the bolt will hopefully be retrievable soon. Bjoern covers up behind his shield and clears the dust from his eyes. Dumah rounds his waraxe overhead again this time coming down in a direct arc, balancing his footwork to add force to the blow and with a loud audible crunch the waraxe connects with the creature in front of him. The creature facing Dumah flattens and goes limp, blood oozing from the wound on its back.
The remaining spider like creature snaps its claws at Bjoern and bites at him but it is ineffective and all the attempts just bounce off the Ulfen's shield. The fatigued creature then moves back into the room backing away from its opponent. Thus the fight rages on.
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Current Location: Tomb of Akhentepi: Chamber of Reflection, Date: Wealday, Pharast 26th, 4714 Time: 9:26 am, Temperature: 97 degrees outside the tomb, 82 degrees in current room.
Cursing the spider and with a "Reclaimers" Bjoern moves a step to the spider, puts booth hands to his shield and rams it towards the spider.
Malik loads another bolt and fires at the fleeing creature.
"Save your concoctions, Saedue. These creatures do not seem to be a significant threat. Let our warriors carry this."
Dumah moves forward with Bjoern, stepping over the oozing remains of the first bug. He joins in the attack on it.
To hit
Damage
Saedue nods at Anset wise words
That's fine with me. These bombs should be helpful if we meet a swarm, provided no one charges right in and I have the time to throw the bomb.
Malik reacts quickly as the remaining creature retreats and leaves an opening for a better attack, judging his distance carefully as to avoid his companions Malik lets another crossbow bolt go and it sails through the air with a evil hiss. Passing just between Dumah and Bjoern towards the target and then it strikes with cruel accuracy as the creature now hissed his own sound as the arrow struck deep. Bjoern seeing the creature flinch from the bolt piercing it now stepped forward and used his shield to ram the protruding bolt deep within the creature.
The force of Bjoern's shield ramming the bolt inward enough to pierce the creatures heart and it now lay motionless on the floor.
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Current Location: Tomb of Akhentepi: Preparation Chamber, Date: Wealday, Pharast 26th, 4714 Time: 9:26 am, Temperature: 97 degrees outside the tomb, 82 degrees in current room.
Amal puts aways his blades, letting out a small breath. "I'll check the room." He then nudges past Bjoern and Dumah, beginning to search the room for any traps.
Amal quickly scans over the room but does not detect any traps. The spider like creatures look to have made a nest on the other side of the altar.
The masks also function as torch holders, and their eyes would glow when a light source is placed within them.
Saedue looks at the room, searching anything of historical value
Nice fight.Does anyone knows what these creature are?
Malik decides to scan the room as well, another set of eyes if always useful after all, and I'm worried Amal is looking a little to excited at the prospect of finding traps and may overlook something...
Looking around Bjoern puts another torch behind a mask, and enjoys the ancient interior decoration. "Please write everything down. I have a friend who would love to hear about this."
What would you do to be here, and see, and explore. I hope you are safe
Anset was clearly not paying much attention to this room for some reason, or perhaps was just keeping his thoughts to himself at the moment.
At Bjoern's request Anset began taking rubbings of the pictographs and carvings in the room.
Bjoern lights a torch and places in one of the torch holders on the north wall, instantly the eyes of the mask seem to glow from the torchlight behind it. Anset began to take notes and rubbings of anything he could find within the chamber.
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Current Location: Tomb of Akhentepi: Preparation Chamber, Date: Wealday, Pharast 26th, 4714 Time: 9:27 am, Temperature: 97 degrees outside the tomb, 82 degrees in current room.
While the others are conducting their investigations, Dumah keeps watch back the way they came, in case their melee with the bugs drew attention from guardians or other desert predators.
Dumah keeps watch standing in C8.