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An extremely hot blaze starts in the midst of the scorpions through Karsa arcane power! A few of the giant scorpions are caught off guard, unable to retreat from the scorching heat and roast, withering away to an inevitable death by fire. Among the few that remain, one of Ingrge's arrow catches a scorpion in it's pincers, but it continues to wobble forward although it is clearly wounded badly.
The mass of scorpions move around the oasis to intercept the Pathfinders, with one directly charging towards Jino. Thankfully, Jino's armor is strong enough that the scorpions are unable to penetrate it!
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Hahaha! Fireball to the face! That is very good advice old man! Please do not give Kramac any of that!
Kramac guides Jino next to the scorpions, and the pair unleash a barrage of attacks. We will start at the north most one, and redirect attacks as they die.
Let me know if you want more explanation about any of what I just did Pony. Kramac got more complicated since last he played with you. All of the attacks under a given spoiler tag have to be against a single opponent, so once a scorpion is dead, disregard the rest of the attacks and move to the next spoiler.
Jino stomps and tramples whichever scorpions in front of it haven't been reduced to a pile of ichor.
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Kramac and Jino come on strong against the scorpions around the north side. Using his chicken saber to reach around, he manages to swipe all the creature's four front legs bringing it down. Taking opportunity, Kramac and Jino tramples the scorpion to death.
Kramac eyes the next scorpion to achieve the same, but manages to only swipe 2 legs, the creature keeps steady. Nonetheless, Jino and Juhnavi come strong against it to injure it badly.
However, in attempts to reach the scorpion, Juhnavi opens herself to the tail. The sharp end pierces through her skin and attempts to deliver some poison.
Martha steps up against the scorpions that threaten her. With her falchion, she strikes in a strong single motion against the injured scorpions. Blood spews everywhere as her sharp blade cuts deep, outright killing one, and badly injuring the second.
Focusing on creature that was just injured, Karsa relies on fire once more, creating an arc made of fire! The fires spread around to nearby creatures, and causes two more scorpions to cripple and fall unconscious from the scorching heat.
Among the remaining pair, Flyn takes aim and fires at the more injured one, but the strength of his arrows are not enough to cause it to die.
"MOOOAAAARRGGHHHH!!!!"
Driven by Kiboko's rage, Mvumbu steps up and attacks.
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Kiboko and Mvmbu turn on their inner rage and furiously attack the remaining hostile scorpions. Their might overpowers the scorpions and delivers crushing blows to end the threat at once.
The oasis, with clear waters and shades from palm trees, becomes a resting haven for the group to take a momentary break before continuing their journey under the scorching sun. Juhnavi reckons the journey would take a day more at the current pace, and she would be proven right.
At the end of the next day, between the ever-rolling dunes of sand, you find a small patch of stone, in the center of which is a ravine, like a crack in the desert floor. Broad, worn stairs lead down into this ravine, at the base of which is an opening, an entrance in the wall of the ravine. There is a host of nine camels, tethered just outside the entrance.
You approach cautiously towards the entrance to investigate and find the camels.
[spoiler=Perception DC 10] Three of these camels bear brands marking on them as belonging to one particular camel dealer in Sothis whom the Society frequently deals with. In fact, it is the same brand markings upon your own rented companions.
You also curiously look at the series of columns built into the ravine at the stairs. It is evident to see that the columns bear numerous carvings praising the accomplishments of Alkhet Utmari, the Merchant Prince.
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"These beasts were rented from the same merchant that our horses came from. Look, their brands are the same. They have been here several weeks, and need food and water. Kiboko can give them water."
Kiboko makes indentations in the sand, and uses Create Water to produce small pools for the camels to drink from.
"The mounts of those who came before us. The merchant would no doubt like them returned, and they should not be left out here."
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Karsa rides down into the ravine on his camel. Ugh, more of these stupid, unco-operative animals. Did anyone bother to ask how many pathfinders went missing? No? Hah, typical. So are these their camels alone or do we have other people here to deal with...
He heads over to look at the columns. Seems old Alkhet had an obsession about the number seven, and an obsession with hmself, pompius old buffoon
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After making some simple preparations, including wearing your armor pieces. You approach cautiously towards the entrance to investigate and meet the camels.
The camels are malnourished and in need of water, but they are otherwise in relatively good shape. They have probably not been given food or water in several weeks.
Three of these camels bear brands marking on them as belonging to one particular camel dealer in Sothis whom the Society frequently deals with. In fact, it is the same brand markings upon your own rented companions.
You also curiously look at the series of columns built into the ravine at the stairs. It is evident to see that the columns bear numerous carvings praising the accomplishments of Alkhet Utmari, the Merchant Prince.
The columns also reveals that the number seven holds a great deal of significance, but in all such arrangements, Alkhet is always in the highest position.
Satisfied with your initial findings, you head through the tall columns into the ancient tomb. Buried under the ravine, the tomb bears no light, but cold darkness. Cool silence greets you as you descend the stairs into the ancient tomb. At their base is a spacious chamber with a large sandstone altar at its center. Set into the walls are four smaller altars, surrounded by ancient writing, each one a little different from the last. On the opposite side of the room are a pair of corridors leading off into darkness and a larger hallway, ending in a great stone door. A trio of rods are slotted into the altar in the center of the room.
The central altar is made of the same sandstone as the rest of this place. On the top of it are four holes, one square, one circular, one triangular, and one rectangular. Of these, three of the four holes have been slotted with sceptres that fit perfectly with the shape of the hole.
A small inscription in ancient Osiriani reads:
Each alter is themed differently, and to your observation, it is easy to conclude that each themes match to the one of the sceptre.
This scepter is made of one large shard of ebony, studded with tiny rubies, and capped by platinum rings. The narrow end of this scepter is triangular. It resided on the northeast altar, which is made of similar materials. The altar bears the following inscription:
“For my beloved Osomi, the last love of my long life.”
This scepter is made of iron, lined with long grooves of silver that converge on a diamond tip. The narrow end of this scepter is perfectly square. It resided on the southeast altar, which is made of similar materials. The altar bears the following inscription:
“For Kiranna, my right hand, my fifth, the one who brought order.”
The southwest altar, which is made of sandalwood and decorated with a fine ivory inlay. The altar bears the following inscription:
“For Elea, my delicate desert flower. May the fourth rest forever at my side.”
This scepter is made of copper, with precious pearls spiraling around its surface. The narrow end of this scepter is circular. It resided on the northwest altar, which is made of similar materials. The altar bears the following inscription:
“For Shasha, my third wife, who taught me to always seek the best in life.”
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Juhnavi speaks Ancient Osiriani like a native and reads the inscriptions for everyone. Although she has darkvision due to her resonant powers, she activates her wayfinder to allow easier reading of the words.
She reads the central altar first. “Everything in its proper place—such is the Wisdom of Alkhet, the Merchant Prince.”
Next the ebony altar: “For my beloved Osomi, the last love of my long life.”
Then the iron altar: “For Kiranna, my right hand, my fifth, the one who brought order.”
Followed by the sandalwood and ivory altar, which has no corresponding scepter: “For Elea, my delicate desert flower. May the fourth rest forever at my side.”
And finally the copper altar: “For Shasha, my third wife, who taught me to always seek the best in life.”
She taps her chin thoughtfully. "Four scepters, but six wives? Seems like the first and second aren't mentioned here. The missing scepter may reveal or activate something, I suspect."
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Karsa doesn't speak ancient osiron or indeed any form of the language. He is just about to remove a scroll of comprehend languages from his pack when Juhnavi starts to read the material.
Hmph, well at least one of you thought to speak the local lingo. He glares at Kiboko, Why didnt you think of that! Letting the side down here boy. I don't know why I bother he mutters as he starts poking around in the alcoves looking for anything interesting.
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It seems like the scepters are the key to unlocking the door. Let us explore the ruins and see if we can locate them.
Kramac will dismount and begin to lead the way down the narrow hallway, launching some minor barbs of his own towards the grumpy half-orc. Jino will pull up the rear after the rest of the party starts down
Karsa, since you seem to expect Kiboko to be able to read ancient languages, perhaps you would like to lead the way for us so Kramac and Kiboko can spend our time studying ancient Ossirian.
I don't think we have a trapfinder, so as the one with the best AC, Kramac is happy to lead the way. If anyone else has a strong opinion about leading, they are welcome to it.
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Martha follows her allies to the chamber with the scepters, taking a close look at each of them. She never succeeded much in this type of puzzles, and they always seemed to spring some sort of trap when solved improperly, so she leaves the thinking to her teammates. After Juhnavi finishes speaking, she points at the two narrow passages.
"First and second wives?"
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Karsa prods Kramac with his stick, Less of the disrespect young'un. I don't expect you to know all languages but you should be prepared. He pokes his pack, Got any comprehend languages scrolls in there? Something to deal with swarms? Or flying enemies? Or incorporeal ones? Or stroppy unco-operative types? Hah, I bet you dont do you!
Karsa peers around the room. Well, north, south or these big doors?. I suppose I can take the lead despite my gammy knee, clicking hip and dodgy eyes. The things an old man has to put up with due to callow youth.
Karsa peers myopically down both passagways and then picks one at random.
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"Kiboko is fluent in several languages Grandfather, but not dead ones." Kiboko smiles, and idly sharpens his tusks on a whetbone.
"It appears the those who came before us may have solved at least part of the puzzle, but what lies ahead has prevented their return. Kiboko can shrink Mvumbu with magic if necessary. But Kiboko and Mvumbu would prefer it if one of you would look ahead first. Perhaps Mvumbu can squeeze through a short passage. She will not like it, but she will like being shrunk even less."
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Hah! Comprehend languages no, but I picked these up as a boon from Ragniori - they can take care of flying enemies
Kramac pulls back his bracer, revealing a pair of runes on his wrist, one of which is black and dark, the other of which glows with a soft blue magic. He draws several vials of alchemist fire in one hand and an iron spike in the other.
These are for swarms, and this is for incorporeal foes.
Kramac replaces the items, then begins drawing out several scrolls, holding them up in turn.
This is for invisible enemies. This is for when you go and get yourself poisoned. These are for when you get yourself paralyzed by a ghoul. This set of scrolls is for fighting demons, devils, and other such creatures that are resistant to normal weapons.
Kramac puts the scrolls back in his pack, flicks his wrist, brandishing a want.
This is to get a pathfinder back in the fight when the terrors we face become too much and sends one of us fleeing down darkened hallways.
Kramac replaces the want and begins motioning at the various weapons he has.
This sword is for fighting fey. This one is for fighting lycanthropes.
He raises his fist, which is clad in a cestus.
This is for fighting golems and breaking down doors. So, prepared for everything? No, probably not old man. But prepared for enough, Kramac thinks. Though, perhaps some scrolls of comprehend language would be prudent. Now stand back and let Kramac lead the way Old man. I'd hate for you to trip and break a hip.
After finishing speaking, Kramac lets out a jovial heart laugh, and slaps Karsa firmly on the back, before turning and heading down the northeastern corridor (I think that's the one that Karsa picked?)
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Boldly, Karsa leads the the group down one of the unexplored corridors, which ends rather short and abruptly. The corridor ends in a small chamber, dominated by an altar at its center. Atop the sandstone altar is a row of five silver trays, each one larger than the last. Another door seperates this area from the next, but it looks to be shut tight without no means of opening. (No handles, and as far as you can tell you can't push it open)
On the side of the altar, a simple inscription in ancient Orisiani reads,
As the room is investigated, Flyn points out that the silver trays are some sort of mechanical device! And is also rigged with a magical trap, if the device is not activated properly, the trap triggers!
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Karsa glares at the altar, mutters bloody stupid thing and backs off while Ingrge does his work.
He prods Kramac with his stick as he goes past, well, you seem just about prepared lad but I doubt you've got the sort of skills yon pointy haired beardless child has, have you! Not with them great thick fingers of yours!
He wanders off muttering about how the youth of today know nothing.
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"Well done with the trap there. Yes, I can read it. It says, 'The final five combined did not weigh upon me as heavily as the first.' That might be a comment about his first wife, but I have a feeling it's a clue to bypassing that trap you just managed to wipe out. Well, we can still try to figure out the puzzle, but thanks to you, there's no danger if we get it wrong."
She taps her finger thoughtfully on her chin, and pulls out her Harrow deck. Shuffling the cards meditatively, she examines the altar and trays for magical auras.
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Fine, fine, lets tramp around the whole bloody place, my hip is killing me, the dust is making my eyes itch and the less said about the smell from those animals the better he mutters as he heads off in the opposite direction. I mean, I could just walk through the wall as an earth elemental but probably shouldn't leave the younng'uns on their own, who knows what trouble they will get up to without someone to look out for them.
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"Kiboko thinks that the central doors will only open once the puzzle of the sceptres. Kiboko could summon an earth elemental and have it go through the door and report back, it you wish." Kiboko smirks at Karsa again, showing his tusks.
"Kiboko thinks that the silver trays are a puzzle in themselves. It seems unlikely that there is an additional component down the other passage, but we lose nothing by looking. Kiboko suspects that the silver trays are a mathematical conundrum."
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As you tread pass the pair of gigantic stone doors either towards the next corridor or to inspect the door, you notice up close it's magnificent stonework. Carved into their surface is a pair of figures holding aloft a throne, on which is seated a man of regal bearing. In one hand, he holds a scepter, in the other, a merchant boat. Beneath the carving of the throne, a pair of narrow holes in the door let through a flickering light. A woman’s voice calls out faintly from beyond the door. “Is that footsteps I hear? I was wondering when someone else would show up.”
Also the door seems to be free of deception. No traps.