Tariq waves his open hands to the creatures then produces a decorative golden amulet engraved with a spiraling scorpion's tail, and holds up the scorpion tail whip from its middle to show he isn’t holding up as a weapon.
”Please don’t attack us! One of your kind fell in battle against a foul undead beast. We bring his belongings back to you. He had a map to lead us here. If you will let us show you we can prove it.”
The girtablilus momentarily stop attacking, although they remain on their guards.
"Cease your attacks humanoids! We will speak."
They back up twenty feet but keep a way eye on all of you.
"You say an undead monster killed one of our fellows. How do we know you didn't kill him and take his pendant yourself?"
Noonan pats Tariq with his Touch of Glory that gives him +10 to charisma checks
”Why would we go through the trouble of killing someone to steal his goods, then struggle to survive the dangers of the desert only to walk right up to you and return the fallens goods? This man behind me is a respected healer. After we slew the undead that killed your kin, he read us the notes found with the fallen.”
”We are in the desert attempting to quell a great evil that threatens all the lands. Have you heard of the Sky Pharoh? I believe your kin was investigating activities we are also concearned with. Cultists and fanatics wearing masks ring a bell?”
”Could we speak with your leader or leaders?”
Shad nods sagely
The two girtablilus gnash their claws as they stare at you.
"We will talk to our leader. You must stay here."
One takes a horn from a strap he wears and blows on it three times, pauses, then two more times.
A large girtablilu with dusky brown skin and hide armor moves towards you - he carries a huge bardiche in one human hand and the black chitin of his natural armor glistens in the sun.
His voice rumbles from his chest as he responds to your (presumed) summary of your findings.
"The cultists you speak of employed us to protect this place. But we bear no love for them, or their human chieftan. Because you have buried our missing scout and come with some semblance of peace I will let you pass. But the Sphinx still houses many of our employers troops and our own commander, Rubila who is within is much less...understanding than I. As she commands, I cannot override her orders. Rubila may indeed agree with my decision and decline to fight but she is much harder to convince."
He turns to the other girtablilus and raises his bardiche.
"Now sounds like a good time for a hunt brothers! Come, the sands' bounty awaits."
He turns and he and his troops move with all their impressive speed out towards the desert, leaving you able to approach the Sphinx itself.
Noonan sighs in relief. Well, will we march in the front doors so see if we can sneak in through the nose?
Might as well. Noonan casts Magic Circle against Evil on Tariq[Make note of bonuses[/ooc] Well, sneaky types first.
A vast, dark shadow stretches across the sand north and east of the sphinx. Based on the position of the sun overhead, the monolithic statue should cast a shadow in a completely different area, one that is fully illuminated in sunlight. Even more strangely, the patch of darkness remains constant as the sun moves across the sky.
As you approach closer to the dread sculpture you find a broad path leads between the outstretched forelimbs of the giant statue, one of which has collapsed into a towering heap of rubble. At this close proximity, the sphinx looms like a mountain above, its featureless visage staring blindly out into the desert. A set of double doors, made of the same dun-colored sandstone as the sphinx itself, are carved into the sphinx’s chest. Inlaid hieroglyphs of ivory and lapis lazuli on the doors catch what little light makes its way into the shadowed avenue.
Noonan gazes at the heiroglyphs and scratche shis chin. Hmm..I think I see something here..Wait, can't make heads or tails of it.
Noonan, you realize that the inlaid hieroglyphs are loosely set in the doors - they appear to be some sort of button. Perhaps if you pressed them in the right order they'd open.
You notice the same thing Dwalindor.
Press the buttons in the right order and they will open. Flub them and no doubt we get hit by a trap.
”Ah, a chance to use my Ancient Osiriani again!”
Tariq, you recognize the hieroglyphs as identifying the twelve planets: Aballon, Castrovel, Golarion, Akiton, Verces, the Diaspora, Eox, Triaxus,
Liavara, Bretheda, Apostae, and Aucturn.
Maybe an effective lotion for sore joints.
perception
I speak ancient osirian
"No no. These hieroglyphs are identifying the twelve planets."[/b}
The desert warrior points them out in turn.
[b]"Here Noonan. This is Aballon, Castrovel, Golarion, Akiton, Verces, the Diaspora, Eox, Triaxus, Liavara, Bretheda, Apostae, and Aucturn. Now there has to be a pattern. Maybe the distance from the sun?"
"Lets see here . . . "
He strokes his chin.
"Crap I knew I should have payed more attention to the religious studies, but knowing the Planes or following a Sun God should help you out here if I can interpret for you the signs. Shad? Noonan?"
Well first you need to remember the third psalm from the second edition of the third book
The Sphinx is the representation of Areshkagal, the demon lord of greed, portals and riddles.
Noonan, you remember, distantly, that ancient religions used to associate various planets with divine portfolios.
Areshkagal was the demon lord of greed, portals and riddles. You believe that pressing the buttons that correspond to those portfolios - the hieroglyphs for planets Eox, Castrovel and Aucturn - could open the portal into the Sphinx.
|
Well, let's share what we know, heh?
Noonan, you know all this here religious stuff.
Tariq, you got the planets and orbits covered.
Shad, you must know a thing or two about dark and riddles. And I will supervise you all and make sure you get the answer right. If there be any stonework being studied...I am on it.
Hmmmm Older religions accosicated with planets and their divine portfolios. So if we match planets with those portfolios we can get through.
Hm...Pushing these buttons will either allow us into the sphinx, or destroy the world and let Rouvangag rampage throughout the universe.
Noonan pushes the buttons.
"Ummmm . . . ahhhh . . . sooooo . . . I am reading that it will open the door or a extra-planer rift into the void between the stars will tear open and we will either be sucked into it or will be consumed by the ancient slumbering being that will emerge from it."
The desert warrior winks as his hands hover near his blades, his fingertips flexing.
"Seems legit, right?! 50/50 shot---let's do it!"
The buttons click hard as Noonan gingerly presses them into the door and you hear gears begin to grind in the background. The stone doors begin to sunlight exposes a grand entrance hall stretches forth into the interior. Flames flicker atop ten-foot-tall stone pillars marked with graven eyes, filling the hall with rippling shadows. Though an aura of ancient stillness hangs in the room, the smooth stone floor shows no dust or marks of age. Woven reed curtains cover the walls to the north and south. In the center of the room, a white stone statue of a six-legged, faceless sphinx with dragon wings and a viper tail, its face a reflection of the jagged visage outside, faces the front doors from atop a stone pedestal.
Nothing to it.
"So is that a statue dedicated to the Sky Pharaoh or some demon or what?"
percep
Well the Sky Pharaoh was quite a unique individual if he looked like that.
Shad, you see figures lurking behind the reed hangings and call out to your companions before they move in to attack. Two cultists and girtablilus burst out of each side and advance towards you.
One of the cultists sprints forward and slams hard into Dwalindor.
Lowering his shoulder he clips the dwarf and drives him up into the air, triumphant in his successful blow.
|
|
Dwalindor nearly buckles as he takes a sucker punch to the neck, lifting the stout dwarf.
Oohfff! What was that for? Didn't like my jab at yer momma's statue?
Too #*S&&!ing BADDDDDD!!!!!!
Dwalindor waits for any buffs before he rages with power attack, steps over (E42) and slams the cultist with amanda.
for ignore hardness/15
for ignore hardness/15
[Edit: Taking the extra attack Blessing this round]
for ignore hardness/15
He will also take any opportunity to attack foes moving through his reach.
Oh fug! Noonan casts Blessing of Fervor
Dwalindor, I told you they were coming and you still let them hit you?
Smash em! Bash em! Boil them in a stew!