Azubah tries not to scowl and make an insulting remark in the form of a question about the accuracy of their recent prophecies. He decides that it would be better to engage the man in a friendly conversation instead.
"So much gold is being unearthed. This will be a boon to your city, no doubt. Certainly this should quiet any criticism by those who look at this as nothing but sanctioned grave-robbing."
Diplomacy
Yes.
The acolyte narrows his eyes at your remarks.
Yes, I can see how some people might question the wisdom of Khemet III. Osiriani kings are notorious the world over for welcoming criticism and veiled insults from homeless vagabonds.
Smiling Albus approuches a barmaid on his way out of the tavern and pays a drink to Rameth. Bring some of the good stuff to that gentlemen over there. The one with the shabby hat and a scowl.
When arriving at the temple Albus is surprised by the oracle's outburst. He looks at Azubah with a frown. Somebody need to learn when keep it to himself! Sorry brother, excuse my friend, it has been along day. We have business with Father Sebti. We are suppose to report our findings and undead activity to him. Could you direct us to his company.
High Priestess Sebti, whom you may remember from when she handed you an exploration site yesterday and this morning, may be free.
Can I ask why you're requesting an audience?
If it was in-game:
Riiiiiiiiiiiight. Well, I just remembered she has to attend an all night vigil. A silent vigil.
He crosses his arms and looks at you with narrowed eyes.
But perhaps I can be of some small help.
If ooc I'll wait for your next response.
Yes, it was just an out-of-game joke.
But she is kinda butch
Errr... to report our findings and the undead activity within the ruins... Angel Eyes repeats not sure why the acolyte is so offended. Below all those robes one can hardly identify the priestess as a member of the human race much less as a female the magus thinks to himself. Besides, she has an ashtray voice!
The acolyte blinks slowly at you.
While I appreciate your arriving to report on the situation in the Necropolis, I hardly think this is a matter to trouble the high priestess.
He pulls a stylus and clay tablet coated with wax from a satchel he has at his waist and looks at you expectantly.
However I'd be happy to take down the information to gather it with the other results?
Ok, the place is crawling with undead, from zombies to ghosts. It seems somebody did a poor job at keeping it clean. Albus proceeds to take his time to make a detailed report of the monsters found inside the walled city and the multiple poltergaists (leaving trip out of the tale).
And finally today we found a div, since those are not undead I thought you guys should know there are other "guests" inside your turf. And it seems one of the explorer parties never returned from its delve today, does the temple have any news of its whereabouts?
The acolyte smiles sadly as he continues to etch lines into the wax to be added to a papyrus scroll later.
He nods when you mention the div.
The foul servitors of Ahriman have long been a plague on Osirion. The country was, as you know, rumored to have been founded by djinni through the great Azghaad and the div have targeted us for destruction as part of their ongoing battle against the djinn.
At the mention of the lost adventurers.
More than one group failed to return sadly. Some survivors are in the pavilion we've established to heal those can be saved and comfort those who cannot.
He finishes his notes and looks at you.
You're welcome to try to find them in the tent unless you can give me their names?
No, you can roleplay with the guard if you wish or you can head back to the group with the name of the widow.
Albus gives the acolyte Sigrun's full name and also her group's name.
The acolyte puts his wax tablet away with his stylus and pulls out a papyrus scroll.
He checks the scroll for Sigrun's name and stops part way down.
Well, I do see the Daughters of the Desert listed as having picked up an assigned site, however they haven't checked in according to the last meeting I was at.
He rolls the scroll back up.
Of course that doesn't mean much since they could still be in the Necropolis, or be waiting to report in tomorrow or later if they haven't finished exploring their assigned site.
Hey gu... wow would you look at this place, this place is awesome, I bet there is some really awesome things to discover...
Sumak looks around in amazement at everything that he sees, for once speechless. Sumak has obviously completely forgot why he came to the temple or that he needed to tell the group anything. Sumak begins to wander around the temple inspecting everything that he can.
Sumak:
Ok, see you around man. What is your name again? Later. After talking to to the acolyte Albus will return to the tavern.
He gets an ale and sits down at his companions table. Do you remember the redheaded that I was talking yesterday? She never made out of the necropolis today. #%$@. Drinking from his cup. I thought I was going to get lucky tonight. The magus says unhappy.
Azubah trails Albus into the tavern and wonders aloud "The Pharasmins are a cold lot. I wonder if they resent that we discovered that they don't truly control the necropolis."
Those guys?! I think they resend even being born.
Rameth gets some attention from Azubah as he deals with his mind fire the next day
he will be fine.
He sharpens his blades and turns in for the night
Wow, that temple was simply astonishing, I need to go back, there is so much there, it reminds me of another tale of Indiana...wait wasn't there something I was suppose to tell you guys, I could of sworn.
Oh yeah, the ring, this magnificent ring. I feel like such a Baggins, I heard that the ring owner's wife posted a reward for information, she owns a wine shop here in town.
So go return it and get the reward!
Sumak:
The widow who owns the wine shop weeps when you bring her the ring, devastated that her husband is dead. Nonetheless she thanks you for bringing her the wedding ring back, and gets several small gems that she has hidden in return for the ring. The gems come to 150 gp.
As dawn breaks you find yourselves back at the Grand Mausoleum waiting for your next, and last, site; each adventuring group's charter being limited to three sites by Khemet's decree.
Although you previously had Sebti distribute the sites, today she's not to be seen and at the desk Albus recognizes the acolyte you'd dealt with previously.
Although his head is freshly shorn, he has deep circles under his eyes and a large ceramic beaker that emits the unmistakable odor of Osiriani coffee sits next to a pile of papyrus on a wooden table that has been put outside the temple steps.
Ah, good Master Albus and the Maze Minders. How nice to see you again.
He shuffles through the papers on the desk.
I hope you don't mind but ceremony has gone the way of expediency for the lottery. High Priestess Sebti drew lots before sunrise and assigned them to those who had returned with reports for their next exploration site.
He finds a sheet and pushes it across the desk, placing a small stone carved in the spiral of Pharasma on it as a weight, yawning as he does so.
Forgive me. Pharasma grants us spells after nightfall and my brethren and I have been administering to the wounded in our hospital.
He absent-mindedly takes a drink of his coffee and looks at you.
Did you have any questions before you went on your way?
The acolyte pinches the bridge of his nose between the fingers of two hands at the Dwalindor's question.
No, but there are several taverns and wine shops that make a similar brew for only a few debben. Perhaps, he waves a hand in front of face to ward off an odor, you can find some mint to put in the coffee as well.
Great idea Rameth, Sumak hurries off eager to complete his quest.
Upon return, Sumak shows everybody the gems that were given to him for payment.
What kind of quests awaits us today? I feel so much like Indiana Baggins, I just need to go buy a hat like him, I wonder if anybody sells those types of hats, It really... Sumak continues to ramble for several minutes as he wonders around mostly talking to himself.
The acolyte gives Dwalindor an odd look.
In Dwarven:
Lack of sleep and drunkenness are not the same thing, Pahmet.
Rameth takes the location info and takes a look at it.
Albus glances at the paper over Rameth's shoulder before stepping forward to talk to the acolyte.
Heya.
Any chance you got news from that other group we talked about it yesterday? The daughters...
Angel Eyes nods. Since we are going inside anyway, how about you give me the address of their last delve, yesterday?
"Where are we to explore today?" As Azubah speaks the acolyte's jug is knocked over by some unseen force. For a moment, Azubah looks embarrassed.
The acolyte sighs as the beaker tips over and his coffee spills off the side of the table.
Thankfully it missed his stack of papyrus so he doesn't have to worry about rewriting any instructions.
Master Albus, while I appreciate your desire to help your friends, you know the rules of the exploration. You're not allowed to know the location of any other group's dig sites, nor are you allowed to interfere with their explorations. Your last site is an old temple that we believe was dedicated to Nethys, called the Sanctum of the Erudite Eye.
He shudders as he says the name.
And thank all the gods it wasn't assigned to that awful woman.
any other info about it?. Rameth asks
[ooc] note he has Trip in his bag with him and plenty of food
As you are exiting the temple you see a prosperous-looking Ibrahim waiting for you, surrounded by his normal bearers.
Ah, my good friendsss how...wonderful to sssee you again. I underssstand you're heading to the lassst location on your exploration. Perhapsss you have changed your mind regarding my ssservices for transssport?
huh? What are you talking about? Same deal as before I assumed
I promisse not to tell a soul. Besides, do you really want more undeads roaming inside the walled city?! Come on man, give me some love.
Outside with Ibraim.
We are fine old man, you heard him. Same deal as before.
Azubah decides to leave the negotiations to the more worldly members of the team.
The acolyte shakes his head sadly at Albus as he starts mopping up any spilled coffee. Sadly I cannot divulge the information. But I wish you joy of your explorations all the same.
As he mops a small piece of papyrus does get pushed off the table to your feet.
On the Papyrus you see a small picture: an eye over an open scroll with a smaller image of a human with flaming hair.
Ah, it'sss true that we have made a deal to ssstore goodsss, but my...friendsss, I believe that my men could be of help...sssecuring the groundsss of whatever old building you have cleared out.
Ibrahim's oily smile graces you with the disconcerting view of brilliant white teeth.
And perhapsss for a sssmall fee...we could help providing additional itemsss to you asss you need them?
Explain. Once we get our items out what need do we have of "securing" them.
Ah, I sssee I haven't made...myssself clear. Now that there are adventurersss coming out of the tombsss and other...placesss there are ssscavengersss moving in to attack and claim the treasssuresss...as their own.
He parts his hands out in a gesture that decries the wickedness of the world.
However, sssince you and your companionsss have been...ssso sssuccesssful in the ruinsss I thought that my own sssmall businessss could provide a modest amount of sssecurity outside the area you are exploring to prevent sssuch a terrible...occurrence from befalling you.
Your not very good at taking no for an answer Grey, but thanks for the heads up. Still a no.