The arch around the north entrance to this hallway is covered with detailed carvings depicting the life and accomplishments of a female pharaoh. A charred corpse covered in flecks of glass is visible just inside the hallway.
the woman in the carvings as the Song Pharaoh, whose death began the slow decline of the Ancient Osirion dynasties. Two aspects of the carving don’t match historical records; the carvings show her defeated by the Pharaoh of Forgotten Plagues, whom she famously overthrew, and her being born in Shiman-Sekh, when she is known to have founded that city.
There is a table in the room beyond and on the table are shards of ruby.
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"The glass itself is non-magical; however, I do see an aura within the backpack. We should, clearly, be very wary of magical items we find within this place. Too much has been cursed..." He looks around, remembering the visage of specters. "So, which one of you brave fellows want to go examine the corpse?" He asks cheerfully.
It appears you've leaned all you can from this vantage point.
So Pathfinders, what do you do now?
It's a penalty to the attribute. Once someone casts Remove Curse, the belt no longer affects you. Sadly, the belt doesn't come off. It's stuck.
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"We've run into a couple of ambushes and a couple of cursed items. Worst of all, we were sent here using information from Torch. Before any more of us become cursed, or worse, let's be extra careful."
"Maybe some of you should take a step back?"
Unless someone else has a better suggestion, Narad will take 20 to carefully search the archway.
GAH! I had no idea my post was eaten.
Narad discovers a POWERFUL trap that turns the archway into a cascade of lava as soon as someone passes through it. It's likely the source of that glass and the cause of that unfortunate corpse.
Narad thinks the trap is within his skill to disarm, but it's certainly not a sure thing.
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Narad works his secret skill and within he gets the trap undone.
Well Pathfinders, it appears you're free to enter...
-Posted with Wayfinder
Narad ignores the Pathfinder corpse for a moment and steps into the room, cognizant of the likelihood of more traps. This large columned chamber shows signs of past comforts, but an ancient battle scorched the walls and ceiling, and cracked and smashed the floor and columns. The remnants of furniture are scattered against the walls, and piles of bodies are stacked in the sleeping alcoves along the south and west walls. A dais crowned with a great, round table rises from the floor in the south part of the room. Three corpses sit around the table as if in conference, each dressed in fine silk robes. A slight breeze whistles through with a sound like a distant, murmuring voice, but there is no sense or meaning in it. An open hallway to the north leads to a natural cavern. Stairs lead downward in the northeast corner of the room, but were buried in stone when the wall collapsed.
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“...the same way Flyn handles a brothel... With style.”
Flyndal grins at Garrett’s quite accurate appraisal, which fades with the revelation of the grisly conference before them. “I hate to go straight to the desecration route...” he intones somberly, “but I’ve seen the dead walk too much to feel right leaving these alone. What do you say? Burn or bash ‘em?” he asks the others, reaching for his morningstar.
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Kohi stiffens at Flyndal's suggestion they bash the corpses. "You will not bash anything unless it moves. We can take care of them with fire, if you would prefer. It's a proper desert burial for them, and I'll be able to send them on with a quick blessing from Sarenrae. Just one moment." She begins a quick incantation to Sarenrae, asking her to bless the dead and send them quickly to Pharasma's judgement, but hesitates to actually approach the bodies.
Kohi and Flyn discuss what to do while the entire complex stays as silent as a tomb otherwise. While no one approaches the bodies enough to search them, it is obvious that there is a wayfinder in the backpack by the corpse.
This large columned chamber shows signs of past comforts, but an ancient battle scorched the walls and ceiling, and cracked and smashed the floor and columns. The remnants of furniture are scattered against the walls, and piles of bodies are stacked in the sleeping alcoves along the south and west walls. A dais crowned with a great, round table rises from the floor in the south part of the room. Three corpses sit around the table as if in conference, each dressed in fine silk robes. A slight breeze whistles through with a sound like a distant, murmuring voice, but there is no sense or meaning in it. The party stands in the open hallway to the north leads to a natural cavern. Stairs lead downward in the northeast corner of the room, but were buried in stone when the wall collapsed. The pair conclude that there are no traps in the room.
What are others doing in the minute of searching the perimeter?
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Garrett will head over towards the Pathfinder and check the Wayfinder to see if there's any engraving upon to identify their fallen comrade. "We should make sure to identify our fallen so that they may be reported as dead. I would like to figure out what exactly happened here so their story can be told."
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“Nothing personal, pal...” Flyn comments as the pathfinder’s corpse immolates. “Nobody wants to be roaming these halls when they should be feasting in the afterlife. And at least I didn’t have to smash your face in.” The consecration complete, he turns to the others. “See, I can be downright eloquent, when the occasion calls for it. Now let’s leave these bones to burn and get moving.”
Garrett recovers the Wayfinder, finding a folded paper with it, as well as a scroll written in the spidery tongue of magic.
Thanien,
Our agents in Qadira unearthed documents that were taken out of Osirion during the interregnum. They speak of an ancient group of scholar revolutionaries that were suppressed by the pharaohs during the Second Age. We believe we’ve pinpointed the abandoned fortress where some of these sages hid from the purges with their treasures. The documents say these scholars held priceless histories of Ancient Osirion, which we need you to retrieve and return to Absalom. Assemble a team of the Scarab Seekers and follow the instructions that arrived with this letter. We’ve set up a cover for you as merchants and prepared a caravan that should see you close to the fortress and provide transport for anything you recover. If the Osirians discover your purpose, we can’t have it traced back to the Society. Once you go in, you’re on your own. Burn this letter and the other documents once you’ve memorized them, and keep the information they conveyed to yourself
No sooner does Narad speak when his ears pick something up. He hushes the party, and soon each of you hears something.
It sounds like a pair of voices arguing. Someone else is here! They are furious, and it sounds like they are furious that someone else is here! They're coming your way, and it sounds like they'll be here any second.
Garrett and Kay need to place themselves (and Kohi too.)
"Dammit! I hear them, they're up ahead!"
A trio of figures come rushing down the hall. Unfortunately for them, the pillar on the bridge doesn't seem to haunt them like it did you. As they draw near it looks like an unsavory warrior with a greatsword and two lackeys.
They don't see Garrett, Desh, or Narad, but they're not surprised.
Baddies:
Desh:
Narad:
Garrett:
Flyndal:
Cëanel:
Kohi: