Being too far away to discern the details of what is going on, Ben sends Ptolemy (who becomes invisible) to get a better sense of the battlefield. Through the telepathic bond with his familiar, Ben will then use the information obtained to decide a course of action. In particular, Ben is interested in how many survivors are left, and where the (if any) the biggest group of them currently is.
Zilchus moves up and sees nothing, though he hears something coming from the front of the Sphinx. Florence, NIdhi, and Stelle wait to see what’s happening, while Benedictus sends Ptolomy the brave into the copse to see what there is to see.
For reference… A grove of strange palm trees stretch toward the sky to the south of the Sphinx. Their bleached-white, chalky trunks support bladelike fronds of dull ivory, as if some giant hand set curved and serrated bones atop the trees. A gentle breeze blows, but the grove remains immobile as the Sphinx beside it. Here (image) is what it might look like if you were in it.
Ptolomy flies through the serrated bone trees and replies telepathically to the group, ”It’s harder to see here, but my darkvision works well enough. I see evidence of the cultists, but no one is here now. It doesn’t look like they station anyone here at night.”
As that happens, you see four girtablilu, moving fast, rounding the front of the Sphinx and headed in your direction. The leader (image) Benedictus’ arcane eye spotted seems to be among them, leading the pack from the front.
Benedictus (acts in surprise round)
Florence
Nidhi
Stelle
Zilchus
Good Folk
As soon as Stelle sees/hears the girtablilu curving around the east side of the Sphinx to head west toward the white palms and Zilchus, she urges Anubis to start heading east with great speed to curve around to the north and west in an effort to flank them. (Skill check "Doppler Effect +20 Anubis?).
”It’s harder to see here, but my darkvision works well enough. I see evidence of the cultists, but no one is here now. It doesn’t look like they station anyone here at night.”
"Ooh, how cute! He sounds like an articulate Bynx! Ooops, sorry! I forgot you can all hear me think now."
"Surely that can't be though! Is there a hidden trap door to an underground tunnel or something?! How did we miss them leaving? Are the girtablilu heading toward us, or the white trees?!"
It may be hard to see with the size of the map, but the many oblong bits on the map surrounding the Sphinx are standing stones ~10'-15' tall and provide lots of cover.
I described them earlier, but wanted to make a special note of it as you can use them as cover if you're low enough (everyone is flying so high!). I'm treating them as cover to anyone at ground level, 5' up or 10' up. Higher than that and they don't help much unless someone is right next to it of course. :)
Those of you who are flying higher than that may adjust your height if you wish.
Also, in case it wasn't clear by omission, the girtablilu are not carrying any light sources. Nor is the party (as yet) so 20% miss chance on any attacks in the dim light for now...
Zilchus pauses, wondering if they should flee into the night to try again in the morning. He remembers that they don’t want to engage the skirt-a-pillows, but speak with them first.
Maybe we need better scouting, especially at night.
Zilchus looks at Stelle and gives the let’s-get-out-of-here look.
Stelle suddenly halts Anubis in his tracks having caught Zilchus's gaze. She nods once and peels away from the Sphinx and girtabloobloo.
Nidhi? Benedictus? Is anyone going to talk to the girtablilu?
Round 1:
Nidhi tightens her grip on her longbow. Where are the cultists? This wasn't the plan. The bard thinks back to her companion's words:
"I like that idea, but the Cultists are within the perimeter of the Sphinx grounds. Are they seeking protection from the -- 'skirt'a pillows'? Maybe I should hang back with Anubis after we cast ice storms and fireballs, or make our presence otherwise known -- to cover flank in case 'skirt'a pillows' guards come to fight. If they don't, I'll join in, albeit late."
Nidhi casts Tongues (PRD link) on herself, while moving up closer. She speaks in the girtablilu tongue: "Hail, friends! We are in search of criminals! Perhaps you have seen the murderous thieves?"
Stelle rides up to Nidhi, and looks at her quizzically as gibberish proceeds to fall out of her mouth.
She looks at the girtablilu. Oh, is that how they sound? Maybe I should stay quiet. She looks again at Nidhi and nods once before turning her attention back to the girtablilu.
Benedictus recalls Ptolomy and thinks. Florence flies up into the air. Nidhi casts tongues and moves as she speaks shouting in the darkness so as to be heard.
Nidhi casts Tongues (PRD link) on herself, while moving up closer. She speaks in the girtablilu tongue: "Hail, friends! We are in search of criminals! Perhaps you have seen the murderous thieves?"
Nidhi finds she is speaking an unusual tongue, similar to Common, but with more clicks and sibilants than she’s used to. It seems to take the opposition by surprise.
”Dakuri? Is that you? It doesn’t sound like you.” shouts the leader back before recovering a bit, ”Who goes there?!” he shouts eventually, even as he and his team move up, and move up surprisingly fast. The more perceptive of the party hear the sounds of more coming from the west in the darkness beyond the rocks.
"Dakuri?! One of the cultists?" Stelle thinks through the telepathy link. "If they're friends with the cultists, maybe we should act like bounty hunters with a reward incentive!"
"Round 1 or 2 (?)"
"I am not Dakuri. I am Nidhi Aashirya."
Round 1, Init 7
Zilchus moves back to protect Nidhi and Flo, standing between the women and the huge hulking foes that would surely crush Zilchus in a moment. Nonetheless, he tries to act protective, rather than threatening.
"My mistress means no harm," Zilchus confirms, not indicating which woman is his mistress.
Diplomacy to aid
[ dice]1d20+13+2+2[/dice] to hit; (+hero, +bard)
[ dice]2d4+13+2+2[/dice] adamantine slashing damage. (+bard,+hope)
[ dice]1d20+6+2+2[/dice] to hit; (+hero, +bard)
[ dice]2d4+13+2+2[/dice] adamantine slashing damage. (+bard,+hope)
HP: 82/82
AC: 26/23 + 3 SoF (7 armor+1, 2 dex, 1 dodge, +3 buckler +2 ring)
DF:0/10
Weap: 0/10 rounds used (+2 bonus/flame/frost)
Grunting/Summoning: 0/8 used (+5)
Quick Prayer: 1/8 used
PoP1: 0/1 used
Armor: 0/10 minutes used
Crocodilic Aura: 0/6 used (5d6)
Smite: not used
Grit: not used
Panache: are you kidding me?
Ki: not used
Rage: maybe later
Benedictus turns invisible, waiting to see how the anticipated negotiation unfolds. He would have preferred to wait until the next morning, but as soon as he realizes that there is nothing he can do to stop his friends, the scholar decides to wait and watch from afar.
You can see now that the western group is also herding an enormous scorpion, nearly 15’ tall itself. The leader closes a little further, but stops before engaging Bazsil. He peers through the darkness at the party (those he can see anyway).
He barks at Nidhi, hissing and spitting as he does so.
- - -
"We aren't your Dakuri," Florence calls out. "But we did find one of your people slain a few days past by a baykok out in the sands. He looked like..." she goes on to describe the fallen creature. "Could that have been your Dakuri?"
He looks a little saddened by the news, and responds in decent common, ”Aya, that’s our scout, Dakuri. Looks like he went a little too far out, but we were warned to watch for you. There is another, presumably hiding in the darkness. As I told Nidhi,” he repeats, ”This edifice is protected, and you are not permitted. So leave, and leave now, lest we enforce our edict by force.”
Round 3:
Nidhi motions to herself and her companions: "We would like to return Dakuri's family crest to you all. As a sign of good will." Nidhi hands over the emblem from the body.
"but we were warned to watch for you."
"So. Who, specifically, are you protecting this place from? What have they done?"
Dakuri? One of theirs? Of course!
"Looks like he went a little too far out, but we were warned to watch for you. There is another, presumably hiding in the darkness."
Oh, Ben... Wait -- they were warned? By whom?! I know they wear masks, but just how good are the Cultists at disguise?
"We would like to return Dakuri's family crest to you all. As a sign of good will."
"Er, yes, of course. Please, let me Nidhi."
Holding the Crest up clearly, Stelle rides halfway up to the Girtablilu watching them carefully. She carefully lays it on the sand before retreating again.
Sorry, that only seemed prudent.
"I am Stelle, and yes, one of us is very shy. There are five of us, and a few animial/beast companions. We shall leave, but know that it can not be us as a threat to of which you were warned. We are only here because we followed the trail of a bunch of -- as Nidhi explained I hope -- lying thugs."
She instinctively has Anubis face right in a Calvary signal to her companions to start retreating, completely forgetting in the moment that none of them are likely to understand this gesture.
Nidhi lets Stelle return the emblem.
Nidhi motions to herself and her companions: "We would like to return Dakuri's family crest to you all. As a sign of good will." Nidhi hands over the emblem from the body
Orchamus gestures and his troops stand alert, but stationary while he strides forward, clacking softly in the sand. He leans down where Stelle placed it and takes the golden amulet into his hand. He turns it over and examines it closely, likely ascertaining if it is in fact Dakuri’s.
He straightens up, towering over those on the ground, and says, ”It’s a matter of honor. I thank you for returning this to the tribe. Dakuri was well respected, and you’ve done him a great service. In return, I will provide you a great service and allow you to slip through our lines unmolested.”
”Only one time do I grant this. I shall not have you passing back and forth at your leisure though our protection. We were hired to guard this Sphinx, and guard it we shall. You should know, I cannot speak for the girtablilu within. They are of a different clan, but if you speak with Rubila, give her this.” He removes a large, sharp tooth from around his neck and hands it to Nidhi. ”You will know her by the paint on her face, white - like whiskers on her cheeks.”
"So. Who, specifically, are you protecting this place from? What have they done?"
”While I am not keen on my employers, and you have aided us, I was never-the-less well paid for my service, and will not tell you anything further. You must follow your own path, and we ours.”
- - -
Stelle gets a little uneasy when Orchamus approaches, but eyeing him carefully allows him to approach Nidhi unmolested.
"In this he is sincere."
"I guess we leave to go speak with Rubila?" Nidhi looks at her companions expectantly.
Zilchus nods from his airwalked perch, happy to avoid a fight with these monstrous scorpiogiants.
"Yes, let us go in peace," he says as he watches the stinger of the big scorpion.
Might be the best way to deal with these things is from above. I have no desire to feel that stinger in my flesh.
”You will know [Rubila] by the paint on her face, white - like whiskers on her cheeks.”
Anubis wags his tail three times. "Like Bynx. Except probably not grey. With ... er, what is that on him -- 'stripes'?" He sniffs at Bynx. Whatever that is, it's not honey. He grins and pants, trying not to drool.
"I will provide you a great service and allow you to slip through our lines unmolested. They are of a different clan, but if you speak with Rubila, give her this.”
A different clan inside?! Stelle addresses Orchamus, "Thank you!"
"I guess we leave to go speak with Rubila?" Nidhi looks at her companions expectantly.
Stelle nods in accord. "Let us seek audience with Rubila," she says, heading toward the Sphinx entrance in the event that no one objects.
Ben appears and flies down, taking place close to his companions. "Very well done." He smiles, and nods at the scorpionfolk with a little bow of respect. Before entering, however, he approaches his friends and whispers to them: "I need to rest. I used many resources in the assault, and I need to get back my powers. Let's get in and find a place where to rest for a few hours, please."
With a nod Orchamus surrounds the party with his forces who escort you along a few particular paths to the entrance. Drifting from the path is discouraged, at least for those walking along the ground. They guide you to the entry.
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 moonlit desert. The imposing statue of the Sightless Sphinx is over 600 feet long and rises almost 200 feet high. The Sphinx’s walls are made of 2-foot-thick stone blocks. The blocks are not mortared in place, but have been formed so smoothly and laid together so perfectly that they have almost fused together over the years from the weight of the structure.
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.
Orchamus walks up to the door and reaches over to the glyphs. There are twelve in all*. He presses three of them and you hear, very softly, a sliding bar of metal on stone. He nods to the party, ”Strength and honor! You may leave any time, but do not foray within again, or we shall be forced to do our duty, and you yours, and that gains no one.”
He gestures to his people, and they fade back into dark desert, heading around the sphinx in both directions. You are seemingly alone with the door, which seems to be unlocked.
What do you do?
Orchamus pressed Eox, Castrovel, and Aucturn.
DC 25 knowledge arcana or DC 20 knowledge planes to open the spoiler below.
- - -
- - -
Zilchus relaxes as the threat of combat diminishes, sheathing his sword but keeping it at the ready.
Good. Good. I don't die on the sands tonight.
Walking protectively with the party, Zilchus can recognize nothing in the glyphs and nods as Florence explains things.
"So, this isn't a happy place, huh, Flo?" Zilchus says, returning the bottle of applejack back to his pouch unopened. So much for relaxing.
Ben is about to give the party another lesson in history, when Florence speaks first. The scholar cannot help but smile sweetly at his beloved companion, proud of her knowledge. "As Flo said," he confirms, when the others look at him. "Not that I find this to be particularly good for us..."
Before delving deeper into the dungeon, Benedictus insists on resting. "Let's set up a camp here, or somewhere close. Nidhi, Stelle, would this be a good place? I really need to rest!"
"Solar representations of Areshkagal!"
Stelle gasps. "Is this a transportation device to other stars? So, do you mean that the outward appearance of the Sphinx is a clue to opening this portal?! she asks, pointing to the door Orchamus unlocked "Neat! We're bound to run into other riddles like this inside!"
She looks at Ben. "Are you up for that? We shouldn't tarry here. Let's get inside first, and see if we can find a suitable space to rest inside. You might consider pacing yourself better!" she chides gently.
Zilchus stretches out, still happy to have avoided the combat. He looks to see if Florence can produce more results. He knows rest is coming, but knowing that the party can exit is important as well.
’’Tomorrow should be interesting.”
A grand entrance hall stretches forth beyond the double doors. 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.
You also see two cultists on night watch, playing a complex game of hand gestures and wagering. Green seems to be winning. They don’t immediately notice you as the door opens nearly silently. They are wearing robes and carrying light crossbows but no other apparent weapons.
Benedictus (acts in surprise round)
Florence
Nidhi
Stelle
Zilchus
Good Folk
Surprise Round:
Nidhi begins to sing inspiring the party.
Surprise Round
So much for rest, Ben.
Zilchus moves 30’ into the room, drawing his falchion as he goes.
Round, Surprise
Stelle grants a +2 dodge bonus to AC (for 1 round) to all of her allies, and moves into the room.
Allies, you have:
~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-
+2 dodge bonus to AC
+3 morale bonus on saving throws against fear
+2 morale bonus on attack rolls made as part of a charge
~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-
Banner
Benedictus DMPC slips in with the others and, unsure how tough they are, simply takes out and loads his crossbow. Zilchus strolls into the chamber, drawing his weapon. Stelle buffs the party slightly and moves into the chamber. Florence moves up cautiously, staying behind Zilchus. Nidhi’s Good Hope is indeed still going, and she adds a lyric to the underlying support.
The two cultists leap to their feet, and move to close with you (double moves). Strangely enough, they don’t cry out, though one looks at the other as if to say, ’I told you so!’. The move with remarkable speed as they approach. Stelle may take an AoO on green as he closes.
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for
"Run into my Lance, why don't you?" Stelle invites.
Round 1, Init 21
”Let’s take this one alive!” Zilchus grunts.
Zilchus seems impressed that the guards rush to attack rather than try to get reinforcements against the superior numbers of the party. That this mere guard thinks that it can withstand Z’s heroic blade intrigues him and tries to make his first set of attacks nonlethal.
to hit; (+hero, +bard, +grunt, -NL)
adamantine slashing damage. (+bard,+hope)
to hit; (+hero, +bard, +grunt, -NL)
adamantine slashing damage. (+bard,+hope)
to hit; (+hero, +bard, +grunt, -NL)
adamantine slashing damage. (+bard,+hope)
[ dice]1d20+14+2+2[/dice] to hit; (+hero, +bard)
[ dice]2d4+13+2+2[/dice] adamantine slashing damage. (+bard,+hope)
[ dice]1d20+7+2+2[/dice] to hit; (+hero, +bard)
[ dice]2d4+13+2+2[/dice] adamantine slashing damage. (+bard,+hope)
HP: 90/90
AC: 26/23 + 3 SoF (7 armor+1, 2 dex, 1 dodge, +3 buckler +2 ring)
DF:0/10
Weap: 0/10 rounds used (+2 bonus/flame/frost)
Grunting/Summoning: 1/8 used (+5)
Quick Prayer: 1/8 used
PoP1: 1/1 used
Armor: 0/10 minutes used
Crocodilic Aura: 0/2 used/smite: 0/4 used (5d6)
Smite: not used
Grit: not used
Panache: are you kidding me?
Ki: not used
Rage: maybe later
The man grunts under his mask in some pain as he closes, but he continues to advance steadfastly.
Round 1:
Nidhi lifts up her bow and aims it at the orange enemy.
Round 1, Init 18
Annie directs a bite toward Green.
for
Stelle lets the hound attempt to sink his teeth into Green before moving him back five feet. She strikes at Green again with her lance.
for
for
for
Stelle looks up at the faceless Sphinx. Don't look so smug...
~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-
+3 morale bonus on saving throws against fear
+2 morale bonus on attack rolls made as part of a charge
~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-
Stelle: Hits: 91
Annie: Hits: 90 + Lvl 11 hits
Stelle AC: 28
Anubis AC: 28
Buffs: Courage, Hope
Saves:
Fort: +9 (+1 Con, +Cloak, +Luck)
Reflex: +6 (+2 Dex, +Cloak, +Luck)
Will: +6/+10 vs. Fear (+Blood of Pharaohs, +Luck, +Cloak) (+2 Fearless, +2 Banner)
Challenge: 2/3
AC: 28 (+3 Shield, Size, Amulet of Nat. Armor +1, Dodge) flat footed = 22 (Size, +10 plate armor, Amulet of Nat. Armor +1),Touch = 13 (+2 dex, +1 Size)
BAB: +11/+6/+1 (+2 Lance, -3 PA, +4 when charging with Annie, +1 when charging)
Heavy Shield (mithral): (+1to hitMW) (1d3+Str+PA damage) (x2 on a Crit), (+8 on challenge)
Lance, MW: (+2 to hit) ((1d6+Str+PA+Lance)x3(Spirited Charge)), (x6 on a Crit), (+8 on challenge)
Hammer (Ag): (+1 to hitMW) (1d3+Str+PA +1damage), (x2 on a Crit), (+8 on challenge)
Glaive (Cold Fe): (+1 to hitMW) (1d8+Str+PA+1 damage), (x3 on a Crit), (+8 on challenge)
Scimitar (Cold Fe: (+1 to hitMW) (1d4+Str+P+1 damage), (x2 on an 18-20 Crit), (+8 on challenge)
Composite Shortbow: (+1 to hitMW) (1d4+Dex +2 Str damage +1), (x3 on a Crit), (+8 on challenge)
vs DC 11 for half of 9 and no daze