Rakara shoulders her equipment and prepares to take the lead. Good enough for me.
In response to Myron's request to take point as well she says with serious eyes, It's up too you, just watch where you step. I would think Idorii would want to be up front too. She looks around at their directional options. Any preference?
Idorii hands the spell book over to Elrisiel. By all means.
She shrugs her shoulders at Kheled. If you are satisfied, who am I to question it further?
She then takes the hand drawn MAP (link) from Myron and gives it a look over. Pointing down the hall to the south she remarks, There is a temple of some sort through the doors to the south. Senenmerek retreated to there after he encountered us the first time. Around the bend is a small side chamber with a pool which we ignored as we made our way to the pillared chamber you first encountered us in. Off of that is a burial chamber of someone of some importance. Velriana and the others wouldn't desecrate the tomb so nothing was disturbed by us. As for the rest, we hadn't explored it yet when we heard your arrival.
Burial chamber first? We are here to catalog everything. Let's bar them in the secrete room as well.
Khelru and Azaz bound and shut within the secret chamber, the group moves south down the corridor, bypassing the double doors Idorii says leads to Senenmerek's temple and around the bend. Double bronze gates block the way forward. I left the gate on the right unlocked, Idorii informs you.
The gate on the left blocks entrance to octagonal chamber with a large, star-shaped fountain with a circular basin in the center ringed with stones engraved with hieroglyphs. Roaring blue flames rise from the basin to almost touch the ceiling.
To the right is large chamber with the double row of columns supporting the vaulted ceiling that you first encountered the Scorched Hand within. Inscribed hieroglyphs cover most of the room’s walls, but the southern wall is rough and unfinished. Two other bronzed gates block additional exits from the room. The north hallway where you approached previously and another on the opposite wall from you now. Pointing across the room Idorii adds, The burial chamber is that way.
This IS a large complex. Professor, what do you make of this room?
Breaking the silence, Idorri offers, Do you wish for me to unlock the gate to the pool?
It would probably be wise to scan for magic auras first, but then yes, let us examine it closer. Myron says.
Idorii picks the lock easily when cleared to do so.
A thought occurs to Myron.
Many of the defenses and traps here seem to be tied to the holy symbol of Nethys. Perhaps this pool confers benefits to those who wear the symbol, but not to those who do not. Hold on, while I "borrow" the symbols from our vanquished foes.
Myron hurries back to collect all holy symbols from the various members of the Scorched Hand.
El obligingly casts a cantrip to discern magical auras.
"Hm. The flames are illusory. The water...is magical. I don't think I'd want to drink it, personally."
Let me give it a go. Stand back.
Wearing Velriana's holy symbol, Myron opens the gate, steps in and cautiously dips a hand in the water, then waits for a reaction.
The flames crackle softly and give off heat as well as light, though Myron is not burnt when he reaches through them to dip his hand in the cool clean water beneath.
Wary that the fire or water may turn into an elemental creature and attack, Dumah steps up behind Myron, ready to attack with his earthbreaker if his fears turn out to have merit.
Rakara examines the room as some of the others examine the pool. Without touching anything she makes her way methodically around the room.
Rakara's search finds nothing else of note. Idorii looks to Myron to see what he does next.
I don't feel any different. Perhaps the magic works by drinking the water, but I don't particularly fancy finding out. I say we just leave the pool be for now and move on. Perhaps we will find some clue to how it works later.
Myron exits the pool chamber and suggests the group continue through the lagre chamber to the east.
I don't trust it either...let's move on.
Rakara leads the way, all her senses working their best to ensure no surprises.
Abandoning your investigation of the pool you head into the large pillared chamber and across to the bronzed gate on the far side.
Rakara works the lock...
...quickly and efficiently, opening it on the first try. Rounding a bend in the short passageway beyond brings you to another set of double doors decorated in the black and white motif found throughout the Sanctum.
The doors are unlocked, Idorii offers, pushing them open to reveal the room beyond. This is as far as Velriana would go. We did not disturb the tomb out of respect.
Looking past the tall half-elf you see that Hieroglyphs cover the walls of this chamber. In the middle of the room, a large and majestic stone sarcophagus rests atop a raised stone platform, and several clay jars sit on the floor nearby. Two lacquered benches stand on either side of the the doors.
Kheled will bless anyone who attempts to learn more about the room...
Myron translates the hieroglyphs This seems to be the tomb of someone named Djedihepet, who died in –1599 ar. He is described as “a wise counselor, trusted keeper of secrets, and good friend of the Pharaoh.”
After scribbling a few notes into his journal, he motions for the others to begin carefully examining the chamber.
Rakara and Idorii, you should probably check for traps before the rest of us enter. We'll cover you. he says, drawing his kukri.
When Rakara does not respond to Myron's request immediately, Idorii nods and begins examining the room by herself. Systematically and carefully, she makes her way throughout the chamber before finally searching the sarcophagus itself. After a significant amount of time, something gets her attention near the head. There is a hidden button here. No way of telling what it does for sure. Shall I press it?
Perhaps you and Rakara can figure out what it does? In any case take Pharasma's blessing before you do.
Rakara examines the sarcophagus with Idorii attempting to figure out if pressing the button will trigger anything dangerous.
After a few minutes of examination they determine that the button causes the platform under the sarcophagus to slide to the south on a set of concealed tracks, revealing a secret opening beneath it.
we should open it then.
I agree. Stay alert. Myron says, standing ready with his kukri.
Rakara, after making sure everyone is clear of the area, presses the button.
Idorii gives Rakara a squeeze on the shoulder as she passes behind her. Whispering, I would have drawn straws with you... before she steps outside the room with the others.
With her friends at what she hopes is a safe distance Rakara presses the button with a clearly audible click. Nothing happens at first but after a moment the sound of scraping stone accompanies the movement of the stone slab platform below the sarcophagus as it slowly slides out from beneath revealing a hidden compartment under the now seemingly levitating tomb. Before it has even moved a foot the hair on Rakara's arms, neck and legs stand at attention before a large crack of electrical energy shoots out from under the sarcophagus!
The air smells of ozone and a slight wisp of smoke hangs in the air tracing the path the bolt took.
Peering under the sarcophagus you spy a small iron box.
As the tingling starts Rakara dives out of the way.
but fails to get out of the way in time and takes the brunt of the charge. Calling out to the others she says in a huskier than normal voice, I think it's safe now.
As the others make their way back in she reaches into the newly revealed compartment and pulls out a small iron box.
Myron lets out a low whistle when the box is opened.
Now THAT is treasure. I'll bet my next breakfast it's magical in some way.
Elrisiel nods in agreement. The musetouched elf murmurs a few arcane words and then looks the items over for magical auras.
If we continue to complete these delves we should create some scrolls of Identify for the magic items. Would be very useful. Let's hope we get a little bit of time after this one.
The pearl radiates strong transmutation magic but its exact nature eludes your understanding.
The ring radiates faint necromatic magic and, unlike the pearl, you are able to decipher the aura and unlock its purpose.
PRICE 2,000 GP
AURA faint necromancy CL 1st WEIGHT —
The wearer of this ring can make a melee touch attack
against an undead creature no more than one size category
larger than himself, cutting off that creature from undying
energy. The wearer never suffers any ill effects that might
normally occur from coming into physical contact with an
undead creature touched in this way. On a successful hit, the
undead cannot be healed or aided by the effects of negative
energy for 1d4 rounds. During this duration, positive energy
affects the undead creature normally.
CONSTRUCTION REQUIREMENTS COST 1,000 GP
Forge Ring, sculpt corpse (Advanced Player’s Guide)
If we continue to complete these delves we should create some scrolls of Identify for the magic items. Would be very useful. Let's hope we get a little bit of time after this one.
And what are evil items to be destroyed... Dumah thinks.
"Agreed. When we finish here and regroup, we should do so."
We should make sure this room has not secret chambers or doors...then I think there was one door back towards the pool that we hadn't searched yet correct?
Guidance for any final searches.
Myron searches for hidden doors, aided by Kheleds guidance and his knowledge af osiriani tombs.
"Hm. I'm not sure about the pearl...The ring, though, will prove useful against undead. It disrupts their connection to the negative energy they need to exist." El pockets the two items for the moment, then goes to help search the room.
Rakara also examines the area in case she happens to catch anything Myron's keen eyes miss.
No other hidden compartments or doors were found in the tomb room. Opening the sarcophagus itself revealed Djedihepet’s mummy wore a simple onyx funerary mask and a gold and black-enameled holy symbol of Nethys.
Fully exploring the remainder of the crypt level, the group defeated a number of additional undead and guardians, including a pair of animated columns in the Chamber of Conjuration and Summoning, and a coffer corpse in some catacombs at the other end of the complex. Interestingly, the coffer corpse seemed to the animated remains of a grave robber as opposed to an interred priest.
A thourough search of the catacombs turned up a number of golden funerary masks and a secret vault containing a pair of simple white gloves, 3 vials, 330 ancient gold coins, and a pouch containing six rubies.
The final area explored in the crypts was Senemerek's shrine room. An alter and pews were arranged to facilitate religious rites and the preparation of the bodies for the catacombs. A lacquered cabinet on the west wall held simple religious tools, including a gold chalice engraved
with the visage of Nethys.
Satisfied all that could be learned below had been investigated, the group returned to the main floor. The first new area explored was a library. Most of the books and scrolls once stored here had disintegrated over time, but a few volumes engraved on more durable materials endured. Idorii informed you that the Scorched Hand had quickly rummaged the room previously, a more thourough search turned up a trove of interesting historical documents. Even more significantly, a secret compartment was located, and after defeating the guardian within, three scrolls, a wand were located as well as a pair of tablets.
The first was fashioned from granite, 2 feet long, 1 foot wide, and just over an inch thick. Detect magic reveals a faint aura of divination.
The other tablet was smaller, written in Ancient Osiriani hieroglyphs, but bore an invisible symbol in the upper right hand corner — an eye bisected by a vertical line revealed by detect magic.
Translating the tablet, it read:
By Royal Order Of The Pharaoh Djederet II
...The Priest of our blessed temple shall take this relic to our new city where the asp and crook join and ensure it is never discovered. treat it with reverence but conceal it with your most trusted secrets and valuable treasures. Do not attempt its destruction. Do not be tempted by its powers. Let our scandal remain forgotten until this obscenity can be undone...
The city mentioned in the tablet as Wati, which was founded by Djederet II.
Clearing the rest of the main level revealed a number of shrines and pools along with mundane areas live kitchens and what not but nothing else of note was acquired.
With the exploration of the Sanctum completed, the group gathered near the entrance to plan their next step.
APPRENTICE’S CHEATING GLOVES
PRICE 2,200 GP AURA faint transmutation CL 3rd WEIGHT —
These nondescript white gloves are a boon to minor
spellcasters and fakes who are limited or lacking in magical
ability or versatility. The wearer of these gloves can employ
mage hand and prestidigitation at will.
CONSTRUCTION REQUIREMENTS COST 1,100 GP
Craft Wondrous Item, mage hand, prestidigitation
TABLET OF LANGUAGES LOST
PRICE 1,980 GP SLOT none CL 3rd WEIGHT 30 lbs.
AURA faint divination
Fashioned from granite, this stone tablet is approximately 2 feet long, 1 foot wide, and just over an inch thick. Dating to the period of the Keleshite Interregnum in Osirion over 2,000 years ago, the tablet was once part of a larger stone stele that was publicly displayed for all to see. Now known as the tablet of languages lost, the broken slab is inscribed with a vow of fealty to the Padishah Emperor of Kelesh in three different languages: Ancient Osiriani, Kelish, and contemporary Osiriani. The characters and hieroglyphs of the three languages correspond to one another and serve as a translation key between the languages.
Once per day, upon speaking the command word, the owner of the tablet can read and understand any written texts as if using comprehend languages for a period of 30 minutes. This does not allow the owner to speak or write unknown languages, or read magical writings (though the tablet reveals that such texts are magical). In addition, if the tablet is readily available and at hand, the owner gains a +3 competence bonus on all Linguistics checks. Finally, if the owner knows at least one of the three languages inscribed on the tablet, he can attempt Linguistics checks to translate the other two languages even if untrained in the Linguistics skill.
Possession of the tablet of languages lost serves as an acceptable rationale for the owner to learn one of the three languages inscribed upon it (by putting a rank in Linguistics during character advancement) without the need of a teacher or library.
Although the tablet of languages lost was created to ease the transition of native Osirians from pharaonic rule to that of a foreign monarch, other tablets could exist bearing different messages in other languages.
CONSTRUCTION REQUIREMENTS COST 990 GP
Craft Wondrous Item, comprehend languages, creator must
know all three languages displayed on the tablet or have
3 ranks in Linguistics
"Hm. The city described by this tablet is Wati. I wonder what scandal it's talking about," El muses. Reviewing the various magical items, she is able to identify everything except the wand, and informs the party of what she is able to discern.
The trip out of the Necropolis was uneventful. Upon reaching the gate, a brief explanation was sufficient to enlist the aid of the some of the soldiers in turning Azaz and Khelru over to the authorities.
The group then made their way across Wati to the Grand Mausoleum to report their findings to Sabu. Ushered in immediately, and greeted enthusiastically, the priest listened to all the group had to relay. He was extremely disappointed to learn of the Scorched Hand's activities and promised to see that they were properly punished for their transgressions.
He was however extremely keen to hear of the Sanctum's secrets but was troubled by the thought that someone else had perhaps removed something of some importance prior to your investigations.
As before, Sabu offered to purchase any items of significant historical or religious importance directly. As for the other items, he mentioned that the market for such things had become somewhat thin as of late due to the large numbers of recovered goods flooding the market. In an effort to circumvent the issue somewhat, he informs you that the Grand Mausoleum has entered into an arrangement with the Canny Jackal, a prestigious auction house and art gallery located at the western edge of the Sunburst Market, to hold an auction where private collectors and other interested parties can bid on items recently brought out of the necropolis. The Grand Mausoleum is also suffering an embarrassment of riches, having spent the past several days accepting percentages of adventurers' proceeds as payments for healing and magical services-and occasionally confiscating items from explorers who didn't show the proper respect to Wati's honored dead. To serve the community, the Pharasmins have extended invitations to all those explorers who have participated in the necropolis exploration as well, in hopes of both keeping many of Wati's treasures within the city by seeing them sold to local collectors and helping coin remain in the local economy.
A priest named Ptemenib is in charge of the arrangements and you are informed that the auction at the Canny Jackal is in 3 days.
Just as the meeting is wrapping up the Professor silently slumps to the floor, where he lays motionless. Springing into action, you and the priests rush to his aid but find him unresponsive. Calling porter's Sabu has Ahkenaten moved to the infirmary and a number of spells are cast to determine the reason for his collapse. No easy answers are forthcoming and Sabu assures you that further examinations will be carried out in the coming hours.
He suggests that you retire to the Tooth and Hookah, and will send word should the Professor's condition change.
Kheled sits at the Tooth with a fine wine, musing over what they have seen so far, We have done well so far. Other than the strange affliction with the professor, I think we will be much better prepared for our next foray.
I have a number of scrolls for use but should probably find a few more. Any thoughts? Should we get another wand of healing? What about other scrolls?
[retcon]
Before leaving the temple, Myron enlists the help of the others to move Velriana's body into the secret chamber, laying her out on the stone floor.
She wanted to find this place so bad, she gave her life to do so. Only fitting for her bones to rest here while she goes to reckon with Pharasma.
Back with Sabu, Myron is deeply troubled by the professors sudden illness. But unable to do anything useful about it, he retires with the others to the Tooth and Hookah.
Nursing a cup of cool white wine, he muses over all the group has been through, the comrades they have lost and the new friends they have gained. He feels a bit saddened by the absence of the professor, but the trill of another succesful tomb raid does much to balance his mood.
Some additional healing sounds like a wise idea, Kheled. We almost lost all our lives in the sanctum because we were not sufficiently prepared to handle such overwhelming opposition. A wand should suffice, I think, if everyone restocks their personal reserves with a potion or two.
Myron scans the tavern and listens to the gossip at the other tables, curious for news of how the other teams have fared, and especially the halfling Dog Soldiers.
This evening, he will just relax and enjoy himself, and on the following days, he'll organize his notes and record a proper account of their adventures in his journal and attempt to purchase some select items.
If everyone puts in 150 pieces of gold I should be able to procure one. That will give us two wands. I can hold the partial wand while Dumah could carry the other...can you cast spells yet Dumah?
If everyone puts in 150 pieces of gold I should be able to procure one. That will give us two wands. I can hold the partial wand while Dumah could carry the other...can you cast spells yet Dumah?
Dumah smiles as he stirs a drizzle of honey into his tea and answers. "Indeed. My mentor promised that if I were faithful I would feel the power manifest; I didn't believe him at the time. While I don't envision us separating voluntarily while on an operation, it still is a sensible precaution."