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Poirot steps forward, and bows to the Girtablilu.
"Greetings, noble guardians of ancient sites. I assure you zat whilst we may seem weak compared with your mighty forms, we have strengz enough. We come seeking one who went zis way long ago; we mean no harm to you, or yours."
To belabor the point, Suchet crawls out of Poirot's pocket, and up onto his shoulder, where he makes friendly clicking noises.
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The female girtabilu lowers her spear at the sight of Suchet. "The scorpion follows his command! Surely he has divine favor, brother! Besides, they have a mission, as he said." She turns back to Hercule, "You command scorpions so surely you are virtuous enough to enter this site, aren't you?"
"Bah! They bandy words and try to trick you with a trained pet. If they are worthy, one of them should be able to return my javelin with equal accuracy. Or perhaps they can prove their skill in their weapon of choice instead."
"Do words have no impact on your impression of them?" the sister asks her brother. He responds, "Not none! But they have yet to impress me with a story of their prowess."
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"Friends," Cosmo begins, addressing the scorpion-man, "This is Pasha Halbarad of Arbor: The Trade Prince who slew Aralantryx, the white dragon of Irrisen; who defended Nesting Swalow from brigands; who saved Azlant Ridge from the marauding gorilla-demon; who shielded glorious Sothis from ancient threat. Behold his throwing of the javelin, and become his brother."
Turning to Halbarad, Cosmo whispers, "Just go with it..."
"Well done!" the male girtabilu grunts as Hal lands the javelin directly in front of him. He scuttles forward and pulls it from the sand.
At hearing Hercule speak so highly of his scorpion companion, the female nods. "Indeed, you are wise ones to treat it so well as if it were one of your own. I have no doubt of your sincerity or worthiness." The male girtabilu cuts in, "But I haven't heard enough yet!"
Professor Cosmo then speaks up to introduce everyone properly. "Fantastic!" he bellows back. "Well then, allow me to introduce us now that we can trust you! My name is Ardashir and this is my sister Anahita. We are guardians of these ruins but since you have shown your worth we will let you pass within." He presents a key. "This will let you through the door ahead. Our ancestors found this place over five thousand years ago. They noticed a corrupting influence within and deemed it necessary to keep intruders out so that the evil may not escape or grow. Foolish adventurers and tomb robbers dying in the temple would only feed it. Ever since then we have guarded it to keep such things from happening. Only the best are allowed inside."
Anahita continues, "Indeed, because we are not allowed to enter the place according to our order as guards, we don’t know exactly what is inside. But according to our ancestors, it was once a temple. The religion or cult was destroyed long before our ancestors arrived, but an ancient evil presence lingered there, and it still does. The place is cursed—so our ancestors said. First it attacks
your mind, then your body."
Ardashir nods gravely. "It is no light archaeological dig you are entering. I hope you understand the gravity of what lies ahead. But we have faith that you can overcome the obstacles. And perhaps you can even cleanse this place of its filth once and for all!"
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"It would be my honor," Halbarad nods gravely. Cleanser of Filth? No, much too little gravitas. Scourge of Curses? Hmm. "Brave and noble guardians, please do carry on your watch. On our return, it would be our pleasure to prove our worthiness once again. Your duty rightly protects these ruins from entry, but also these ruins from escape."
"That would be most welcome, Bizzle."
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Bruxo nods as the scorpionfolk speak. First your mind, then your body, he thinks to himself. That could be any number of things. Best beware.
Take 10 on Kn (nature): 29
Bruxo uses this knowledge to properly bid the girtablilu farewell according to their traditions, then falls in behind Halbarad and Ryster as the group enters the erstwhile temple.
Ryster chews on the corner if his mustache as he listens to the scorpionfolk. "Have yous ever let anyone else pass, or are we the first?"
"Several have gone before you; all have turned back before going too far. According to our ancestors, someone or something entered the place without permission millennia ago. Whoever or whatever it was, it hasn't come out. We fear the corruption within the ruins has since grown."
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You bid them farewell and head into the canyon where you see the short staircase and doors they mentioned. The door is made of bronze and, just as promised, the key opens it.
Inside, carvings on the stone walls of the staircase down depict groups of humans huddled together, cowering from some unseen menace. Their faces look up toward the sky with despair evident in their eyes.
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Further down the stairs, a long hallway opens into three large rooms on the west side of the temple. On the east side, there are two staircases, one leading, the other down. Many cracks mar the stone surfaces in this part of the temple.
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Directly ahead at the heart of the vaulted hall stands a twenty-foot-tall stone statue that depicts a beautiful woman wearing a tunic and wielding a khopesh of polished bronze. Ornate columns bulge from the walls bearing carvings of wheat stalks and snakes eating their own tails. Set on the walls between the columns, there are six bronze mirrors.
The mirrors on the walls show flattering reflections, each pair closer to the statue showing a more and more attractive version of yourselves.
The statue wears an ouroboros torc, a round piece of twisted bronze and gold that resembles a snake chasing its own tail.
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To the south two sets of stairs lead up to this large rectangular room. Seven long bookshelves, each cut out of the rock, are full of stone tablets. Most of the tablets lie scattered in ugly piles.
Moving: Strength check; attempt DC 15 Fort save vs. fatigue to gain a +4 bonus
Cataloguing: Perception or Profession (librarian) check, or use a related skill (see below)
Studying: Linguistics or Sense Motive check, or use a related skill (see below) Any progress in excess of 100% is not carried over to the following task. Reaching 100% in the third task means you discover whether the bookshelf contains the information you are looking for.
Roll Progress
15+ 25%
20+ 50%
25+ 75%
30+ 100%
Bookshelves and Related Skills
The following are the carvings on each bookshelf (from east to west) and the alternate skills you can use when attempting to catalogue and study the shelf’s contents.
1: Woman with one hand on her cheek, the other in a jar—Craft (alchemy) or Disguise.
2: Man in a battle pose with a fine scimitar—Craft (weapons) or Profession (soldier).
3: Woman poring over a text with eyes wide open—Knowledge (religion) or Linguistics.
4: Man holding his hands up, motes of energy circling around him—Knowledge (arcana) or Spellcraft.
5: Man adoring himself in a mirror—Perform (any) or Sense Motive.
6: Man looking at clouds in the sky and sowing seeds in the ground-Profession (farmer) or Survival.
7: Woman marveling at the sun and the moon—Knowledge (geography) or Perception.
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Cosmo stands pondering the carvings, puffing on his pipe.
"These fine works depict the Age of Darkness when Earthfall caused ash in the atmosphere to block the sun for a thousand years."
As the group passes the cracked stone, Cosmo takes a long draw from his pipe.
He points, "Look! These ancient arrowheads on the ground here. This design was particularly popular during the height of the third dynasty of the First Intermediate Period of ancient Osirion." Looking closely at the arrowheads, but being careful not to disturb them, he adds, "They bear small heiroglyphs that originate during the reign of An-Hepsu VI. They read, 'Sarenr Iahu,' which translates as 'Glory of Sarenrae.' These belong in a museum!"
When he sees the statue and colonnade, Cosmo again puffs his pipe and marvels.
"Very interesting! These carvings on the columns obvious depict Fertility and Rebirth. But the statue does not represent the usual symbols of Isis, Osiris, Sobek, nor any other ancient deity associated with such ideals. In fact it does not depict any religious or historical figure that I am aware of.
"Interesting indeed. Ryster," he elbows the dwarf gunslinger, "isn't this exciting? When I write my paper on this place, I am sure to get a tenure-track position!"
"Look at the twisted bronze and gold ouroboros torc adorning the statue! It represents a snake chasing its own tail. Look Hal! That design is indicative of the An-Hepsu V period! Amazing..." Cosmo takes a long, satisfied draw from his pipe. "Simply amazing..."
Cosmo finally makes his way to the library with the others.
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Before entering, Bizzle will cast Message on everyone as a precaution. He'll also make sure his Mage Armor is up by using his wand.
Haha! You know so much about all this stuff, its as if you'd been here before or something! Bizzle looks at himself in the mirror, admiring how they seem to reduce the increasing girth of his gnome belly. I need to take one of these home!
A library! Ha! Cosmo will love this place. Oh! Look at that! Bizzle moves to the 4th statue, the one of a man holding his hands up, motes of energy circling around him. Hmmm.
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Outside the library, Hal dismounts and whistles three quick notes to Th'reiwa-don, instructing the bird to guard the main chamber. He reaches into a saddlebag and removes a journal and some charcoal, turning to a fresh page and beginning a rudimentary map of the ruins. He makes a note about each comment from the Professor, and pauses to sketch the first painting.
"Hmm. This depiction has... attempted to alter my mind. I find myself unnaturally apprehensive. We should not study this painting more for the time being."
Respecting the Professor's decision to leave the arrowheads in place, Hal simply turns to a new page and makes a sketch, replete with hieroglyph and translation. Hal then moves to record some sketches of the columns, mirrors, and the statue.
"So too with these mirrors. Steel your minds, comrades, for girtablilu legend does not lie."
Hal enters the library with mixed feelings; clearly there is much to be learned here, but a thorough investigation will take considerable time, and the area is not yet secure. Still, his companions seem intent to explore this area. "I am can read and write many languages, and I have a sharp eye. Perhaps, too, I may find some familiar topics among this shelf," he remarks, pointing at the man sowing seeds. He looks around at his fellows and draws a thin smile. "But perhaps today it is my strength that is needed."
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Hercule frowns for a moment.
"I am afraid zat I will not be particularly useful at lifting ze heavy stuff... but I know someone who can!"
Spending 5 points from my arcane pool to cast Summon Monster V, which I will extend with an Extend Rod (so that it lasts for 20 minutes) for a large earth elemental (enhanced by Augment Summoning), then replenishing my arcane pool by consuming a 5th level spell slot.
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Ryster follows along more concerned with spotting traps than examining the decor. When he feels an elbow in his side, he roused from his searching to glance at the professor. "Wha? Eh, ya, riveting..." He remarks, not really hearing the question.
Seeing that the scholarly work is well on hand, Ryster moves with group into the library. Staring at the shelves, he ponders what he can do to help.
Keen to show that he's not just a pretty face. Ryster begins examining the contents of the shelves.
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Bruxo doesn't comment, but nods approvingly at the Professor's history lesson.
Bruxo finds himself drawn to the mirrors, studying each one intently as he nears the statue. So that's what I would look like were I as strong as Lomax. He takes some time flexing in the mirrors.
When at last he can draw himself away to study the statue, he observes, This is a shaitan genie, but one full of pride and vanity. A dreadful sin. He is too distracted in his reflection to notice the irony in his statement.
No magic radiates from the arrowheads.
Hercule's elemental swirls into being and immediately sets to work righting the shelves. "Terran," it points out the symbols on the sides of the shelves and reads them to you in Common:
- Art of Cosmetics
- Art of Weaponry
- Bitter and Sweet Secrets of Wisdom
- Resolving of Enchantments
- Secrets of Mirrors
- Signs of the Clouds and the Earth
- Signs of the Sun and Courses of the Moon
Hercule then uses his connection with Nethys to ask about the first five shelves but receives the same resounding answer for all five: NO.
Everyone then works together to catalog and study the shelves in more detail:
Shelf Cataloging Progress:
1. 75%
2. 50%
3. 0%
4. 100%
5. 25%
6. 100%
7. 100%
Shelf Studying Progress:
1.
2.
3.
4. 50%
5.
6.
7. 50%
1. 75%
2. 50%
3. 0%
4. 100%
5. 100%
6. 100%
7. 100%
Shelf Studying Progress:
1.
2.
3.
4. 50%
5.
6. 75%
7. 100%
Cosmo finishes cataloging the shelf concerning the Signs of the Clouds and the Earth, which he and Hal then begin studying. They discover these tablets primarily teach agricultural methods, survival, and meteorology, although they also find a series of tablets called the Rites of Rebirth; the first tablet, The Harvest, describes cutting twelve wheat stalks with a sickle. The second tablet, The Feast[/], describes concocting a potion that triggers the rebirth of a person. The final tablet, [i]The Rebirth, describes the soul slipping away only to be caught in a receptacle that keeps it safe eternally.
Hal finishes studying the last shelf on Signs of the Sun and the Courses of the Moon but finds nothing other than typical tomes on astronomy.
In the final northern alcove of the hall a cylinder of perfectly smooth volcanic glass stands int he center of an eye-shaped symbol in the floor. Unnatural shadows radiate from within the cylinder, darkening its immediate surrounding as indistinct shapes swim in the inky blackness. One-inch-thick copper wires embedded in the floor extend from the base of the cylinder, connecting it to three stone tables on the west side of the room.
The first table has a rectangular space carved into it, shaped exactly like the stone tablets in the library. The word rebirth is carved into the table in at least twenty different languages.
The second table has a body-shaped indentation carved into it, surrounded by arcane sigils.
The third table is carved with a circular groove that looks like a snake biting its tail.
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"I take it that this is the chamber where the process is completed," the elf states matter-of-factly. He peers at the inky centerpiece and adds, "I do not like the look of that cylinder. Let us not touch it."
"Clearly, the tablet we have discovered describing rebirth fits there, and the subject there. The final object may be the torc from the statue. Can one of you decipher those symbols?" Hal gestures at the second table.
Eschewing his journal for the moment, Hal grips his oathbow tightly. I do not like the look of this.
As you stand studying this room, you notice that the seeker stone you were given starts to shake uncontrollably. Soon after, the dark iris object in the center of the room begins humming loudly. Cracks begin to appear on all stone surfaces, and dust and small bits of rock begin falling from the ceiling.
Bizzle notes that the cylinder seems to have become unbalanced somehow due to the resonance with the seeker stone. Simply moving the stone away would not stop the reaction now; the cylinder must be appeased in some way to subdue the catastrophe!