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"Ah! Someone that treat us well. That is nice Florence my friend. But travelling the deserts to guard them from evilness and undead, and yet attending the responsibilities of nobility are not that easy to find talents. No, no, they aren't my friend" Kosei negates with the head and breathes frustrated as his spell fails.
The Garundi is though relieved when Florence magics open a way forward for the group "Ok, let's hurry up before the magics may return!"
Kosei goes forward the corridor drinking water all the way. When he reaches the ledger his clothes are all soaked in the filthy liquid "That was... it had a bit of rust taste with a pinch of custard apple..."
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"Oh, great job Florence!" Stelle exclaims, moving forward. "Hurry, let's go before the water turns bad again!"
"NO! Annie, Leave it!" Stelle urges Anubis forward sternly.
...
"Hm, maybe that is a good idea?" She dismounts to scoop some water into her hands while Anubis takes advantage to slake his own thirst. After a few seconds, she climbs back into the saddle. What am I thinking? For a second there it looked like liquid candy...
...
Stelle tries to dismount again at the third statue to get at the water, but Anubis resolutely makes his way past the 3rd statue foiling her attempt. She instead pulls a pint glass out of her Haversack and scoops some water into it to comply with the trap.
"Custard apple?" Stelle says, smacking her lips. "Is that what that is?"
Zilchus gives the statue a couple good whacks, knocking off the pitcher arm, and pitcher. He doesn’t properly destroy the thing though out of concern that the Dispel Magic is a fleeting thing and the waters will regain their power after a short time. So the party moves on to the next room.
The watery channel ends in a large chamber with walls covered in paintings and hieroglyphs. There are deep large alcoves to the southeast and southwest, and a fat block of black stone sits in the west wall of the southwest alcove. Every single inch of the floor is covered by painted hieroglyphs and strange sigils in earthy colors.
The hieroglyphs and paintings on the walls sing the praises of Hakotep’s wars against the Shory. The writing on the floor primarily speaks of the terrible fate awaiting any who would disturb the Sky Pharaoh’s rest. Additionally, there are sigils on the floor, interspersed with the rest, which attract the eye of those with magical sight. The sigils radiate a strong necromancy aura.
- - -
The stone block on the southwestern wall is set with a symbol of a falcon clutching a lotus flower in each claw. This symbol was often associated with the Sky Pharaoh and you’ve come across it before while doing various research in Tephu. This symbol radiates faint abjuration magic.
The stone radiates magic as they all have, nothing new or special as far as Florence can make out. That said there seems to be a passphrase needed for this block. Speak the passphrase and the block will move out of the way.
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"Ooh...um, did any of you ever play the game 'The Floor is Lava' when you were little?"
"Uh.No.Noway.Never," Zilchus says way too quickly and guiltily. "Nah. Uh. No...what is that?"
:flashback to last night: Zilchus hopping from rock to rock to get from pee-rock back into his bedroll without touching sand. //end
He waits for Florence to explain what she find while happily hovering 5' off the ground. Away from any lava, real or make believe.
Stelle rides to the center of the room for a good view of of the waterway and both alcoves. She checks for mummies and watches for danger.
"Mmm... so the Hakotep fought the wars against the Shory Empire ... Now that explains about the flying pyramids. He likely stole the aeromantic technology from them. And there are still scholars who think the flying cities are just myth... it would be great to just show them this flying pyramid once everything is done my friends..." Kosei contemplates with joy the incredible paintings in this chamber.
While others focus on the magical block, the Garundi examines with care the paintings all around the room, going to the other side of it while avoiding to touch the ground "Perhaps among these drawings the response to the block passphrase remains hidden..."
The part searches the chamber for some clue as to the passphrase needed, but comes up empty. However, Stelle does notice a secret door in the southeast alcove - an extremely difficult to find secret door near Kosei.
The door is checked for traps in this trap-laden region, but none are found.
"Secret door, Stelle?" Zilchus moves to explore the door, opening it when others are ready.
"Wow! I almost stumbled with it and still could not see it Stelle!" Kosei follows Zilchus, touching the reckless warrior with a bit of guidance "I am ready Commander my friend. Let the spirits of Osiron to guide your steps in this relevant moment"
"This is also probably about a good moment to use the scroll we found" just as everyone readies to get into the secret room, the desert guardian produces a scroll that crumbles to dust once he reads the mass bull strength written on it.
"Thank you, Kosei", Stelle says, once Kosei is done reading the scroll. She proceeds by opening the secret door.
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Stelle opens the door to find a burial chamber.
The dazzling floor of this large crypt is made entirely of blended gold and platinum burnished to a mirror-like finish. Light reflected from everburning torches burning in golden sconces on the walls dances across the floor. Four statues of vulture-headed humanoids, fashioned from artfully arranged human bones, stand vigilantly at the corners, metal-tipped spears gripped in their bony hands. A large golden sarcophagus lies in the center of the crypt. The lid depicts a winged man in royal attire, crook and flail held across his chest, a blue crown featuring a rearing cobra on his head - Hakotep’s symbology. The lock that once sealed the lid is open.
Kosei cautiously enters into the golden crypt "It smells to decrepitude here my friends" the Garundi grimaces out of the closed odor.
"What level of arrogance might do a man desire to be trapped in a golden chest like this for eternity...? This can only be Hakotep's remains themselves" after studying the vulpture statues and then the coffer "Mmmm... the lock lid is open... I wonder if this means Hakotep is free now"
Then turning to the others "So... what now? How do we stop Hakotep? Have we been instructed on how to use the mask altogether my friends?"
To be clear, the lock is open, but the lid to the sarcophagus is shut. Why anyone could be in there...
Florence finds that each of the spears has an aura of strong conjuration and appears very similar to a heartswood spear, though this is simply the effect of magic auras cast on the spears to trick the unwary.
The spears slide easily out of the bony grip of the statues, but unless all four are removed simultaneously (doing so requires successful Acrobatics or Dexterity checks by four characters at the same time), bolts of lightning shoot from the metal tips of each spear for a few rounds.
The four spears are nonmagical but are made of solid gold with small chrysoberyl and red garnet beads inlaid in the spearhead and are worth 5,500 gp each. The sarcophagus is plated with gold and easily worth 30,000 gp to a collector or museum if you can transport it out of the pyramid.
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"It smells to decrepitude here my friends"
Zilchus sniffs an armpit in case it is he who is giving off the odor and he is pleased when it is not.
He moves up to help Kosei inspect the area. When others mention lightning, he casts Resist Energy, Electricity hoping to avoid any traps.
"What do you think, Florence? Might this be it? What do we do?"
Kosei listens carefully to Florence explanations "Oh yes. The ba, ib, and ka of Hakotep. So do you think he hides in the sarcophagus the ba and ib of his soul? Maybe we just need to approach the mask and the pharaoh will pass to the afterlife once and for all my friends"
The Garundi steps forward in while Zilchus smells his underarm and protects himself from electricity "I think I could remove one of those spears myself. If we have no other ideas, we can try this. If we fail... well, it would be not the first nor the last time we get zapped in numerous lighting my adventurous, bold and brave friends"
If others want to attempt removing the spears in synchronization, Kosei taps everyone with guidance before the attempt.
"Anyway, remember what we learned back in the Vault of Hidden Wisdom? I think that's the key, though I'm not really sure how exactly we'll have to rejoin the three parts of Hakotep's soul...or what it'll actually do.""Maybe we just need to approach the mask and the pharaoh will pass to the afterlife once and for all my friends"
"Hopefully it doesn't require that some ignorant weak poor soul really open to incredibly self-defeating suggestions to have to wear Hakotep's remaining Ka and die."
She looks around at her companions. "Because none of us qualify, even if we are wearing it."
~~~~
She looks at the spears and holds up her bow. "Those are some really attractive looking spears... Well, shall we attempt to synchronize effort, or should we just blow these spears off their perch from a distance?"
And -- unless someone objects, Stelle positions herself and pops open the lid with her lance.
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Stelle detects no mummies.
With a little discussion, the party will remember the ritual required to reunite Hakotep’s Ka (in the mask) with his Ba and Ib (in his body) came from the dead architect, Chisisek. If it is done while Hakotep is undead, he’ll become vastly more powerful, which is what he wants. If you do it after destroying Hakotep’s body, you’ll destroy him utterly and completely and he will be a threat no more.
Stelle opens the sarcophagus. The lid swings open easily to her lance prodding revealing emptiness, though its pillowed deep blue interior bears the impression that a body long rested here. A pillow inside the sarcophagus is embroidered with a symbol of a falcon clutching a lotus flower in each claw. Stitched hieroglyphs beneath the falcon read, “Unfurl your wings and seek the sky, Mighty Pharaoh!”
If you want to try for the spears, I’ll need acrobatics rolls from each of you (except Kosei who already made his), or some other plan (like knocking them loose from a distance, or having the protected Zilchus just grab ‘em and take the damage).
Kosei stares at the empty sarcophagus emitting a low mumble "Mmmm... it seems the Pharaoh has really been walking around my friends. Its defeat is not going to be as easy as expected"
The Garundi reaches for the pillow with the falcon symbol "I wonder if this is the pharaoh personal fluffy toy... if so... he might be missing it once we put him into his final rest"
"I thought we needed to remove the javelins in order to open the sarcophagus, but if we only want them for treasure, I suggest we convince Nidhi later for her to come and disable it so she can keep some treasure from the Pharaoh" offers Kosei point forward for the group to continue looking for the actual Pharaoh.
"I'm sure Ben would agree if he were here," Zilchus mutters to Kosei, but also glad the wise lion man is here as well. "Well, just point me to the body that needs to be smashed, and I will do it. Not sure what we should be doing here. It's really weird, that there seems to be all this danger from the Pharoah, but he's pretty much a hidey little scaredyjerk, you know?"
"Should we smash all this? Or make it so it cannot be opened? I don't care much about the spears, unless we need them. Do we need them? I can get them, I suppose...it will hurt, but I will do it."
"Unfurl your wings and seek the sky, Mighty Pharaoh!” Stelle says, reading the Pharoah's fluffy toy aloud. "Maybe he's not walking around, maybe he's flying around." Especially with this floor.
In response to Zilchus she offers, "The spears can wait, assuming this whole thing doesn't just crumble to dust once we're through with Hakotep.
This scarab does not say there are any Mummies about here... Can anyone guess at what the passphrase might be to move the block? Maybe we can just -- push it out of the way?"
She heads for the mysterious passphrase locked blocked passage.
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Giving a second look to the block Kosei observes aloud "The same symbol of a falcon clutching a lotus flower in each claw as in the pillow. I guess if that means the password required does do relate with Hakotep himself my friends..."
Placing himself in front so the block can clearly hear him Kosei starts to try the same kind of non sense that so far has worked in these pyramids "'Hokotep', 'In the name of Hakotep, open', 'For Hakotep open', 'Hakotep is the Pharaoh and most praised and sage king of times, bla bla bla', 'Hako'p commands you to open', 'Praise the sage of Hakotep', 'Hakotep Pharaoh of Osirion request you to open', 'I am Hakotep open yourself', 'Love to Hakotep Ethernal Pharaoh of Osirion', 'Hakotep great badass and king of the rotted dust ask you to open deaf piece of s&!@ rock'"
"''Hakotep great badass and king of the rotted dust ask you to open deaf piece of s$~! rock'"
Zilchus quirks his head at Kosei’s salty language and then shakes his head as if he didn’t hear it correctly.
”Uhm....okay...is it time to smash this thing open? I’m tired of playing games. This entire pyramid is pretty dumb and not sure why we were invited in if all Hackystep was going to do was hide from us. I’m beginning to think he’s not the big threat we thought he was.”
Kosei tries a number of Hakotep inspired themes, but none of it works - not even the swearing. However, when Florence steps up, well, the pillow talk worked, and the stone slowly settles into the floor and the way beyond is open.
A painted figure on the floor of this small chamber wears a traditional Osirian kilt, bears a covered offering platter in his hands, and has a device of some sort balanced on his head. Hieroglyphs carefully woven into the offering’s cover and the device balanced on the man’s head read, respectively, ”Those coming before Pharaoh must bring gifts” and “or abase themselves before a living god.”
Two arches exit the room to the north. The arch to the east is bordered with gold paint. A falcon with wings outstretched, clutching lotus blossoms in its claws, is carved in the capstone. The arch on the left is unadorned and much lower, only a couple feet high. To get through that arch, you’ll need to prostrate yourself and crawl.
- - -
”Hey! That worked! Nice work, Flo!” Zilchus pauses for others to be ready before airwalking forward. He’s keeping his eyes open and not yet approaching the arches.
Perception
Stelle enters the room, approaches the low arch, and checks for mummies.
"Well, I guess we take gifts through that archway," she points to the eastern archway, "... or crawl through this one. The floor here doesn't look trapped..."
Zilchus finds nothing of particular interest in this ante-chamber, and Stelle finds no mummies within 60'.
"Oh! Ummm... yes, of course. I was leaving that one for the end. Mmm... just because... what are those arches you see there my friends?" Kosei walks in the air approaching to examine the new challenge.
The couple of prayers raised by Kosei bring no extra information. He resorts to trying to spot something odd, and he does "Have you seen this little slot in the corner? Maybe there is something hidden too"
Kosei starts to examine the space in the corner suspicious.
"*ANOTHER* TRAP!?" Zilchus looks at Florence. "I can't believe there is another one. It's almost as if this HackyStep doesn't want visitors. What a bungled and mis-designed pyramid this place is." Zilchus begins to root for his morningstar.
"Should be smash the arch? Is that it?"
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"Wait! If you do not want to risk yourself Zilchus, we can offer one of the jacinths I picked up from the large treasure chamber" Kosei stretches his eyes, occurring to him that perhaps the man insistence to pick up the spears means he really wants to be zapped "Ah! Well... I see... so if that is the kind of secret pleasure that goes with you, just go ahead and bring the spears my friend"
Kosei looks up for the jacinths and offers them to the party.
Zilchus spins his head to look at Kosei. ”What is a jacinth?” he looks down at Kosei’s offering. ”That’s a jacinth? And it’s worth something? I thought it was just a big huge ugly rock, like one of Annie’s old poops. Huh.” Zilchus seems surprised.
”Are you sure that’s worth a lot? I don’t think it has much use. It’s just a big dumb rock. How could it be that valuable? We’re in a desert. It’s useless.”
Zilchus takes one and looks at the arch.
”Are we sure we want to go this way?”
The jacinth gems will work, but you only have two of them I think, unless I missed something.
Assuming Zilchus returns for a spear, just to see how bad it gets...
...and there's a reflex save (DC 28) for half. So I think you can get the spears safely with the Resist Electricity in place. I'll say you have the four spears with a little work, and a lot of hair standing on end on the part of Zilchus, but no real harm done.
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"Yup. I know, it is just a rock" Kosei nods conferring with Zilchus "Yet for some reason potential matchmaking princesses give them a lot of value, so maybe the Pharaoh give it value too"
The Garundi looks around and shrugs "I fear there is no other way forward my friend"
Assuming Zilchus takes the spears Kosei places the jacinths on the arch as instructed by Florence. Then he reels back "It is better someone else goes first. I still can restore you if the arch destroys you and I am still alive my friend"
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Anubis wags his tail when he hears his name and he barks sharply once.
Did you hear that everyone? The Applejack man thinks my poops are gems!
Stelle doesn't want Kosei to be unable to present a nice gem to his future wife, or for Zilchus to get zapped.
"Wait, before you go in there, Zilchus, let's try this:"
She nocks an arrow into her bow and tries to shoot the spears out of their perch.
"Take cover everyone, I don't know if the lightning will throw these."
Stelle will take either the spear or one of the jacinths, present it palms up, and walk under the arch.
Zilchus is happy to get the spears if Stelle's archeries don't loosen them. He will pass them out (even one for Annie!) if others need them.
"I'll go first," Zilchus says as he watches Stelle go through...his words coming too late. He will wait a moment, then follow carrying his own present.
Stelle is able to knock the spears free, the lightning damaging no one - not even Zilchus. The party, spears in hand, advance under the arch and into the next room. As they do so, their ‘offerings’ disappear, and you hear a clattering to the west as you enter.
Nine wide pillars carved with hieroglyphs support the eastern end of this magnificent chamber. Eight huge limestone statues of vulture-headed humanoids standing at attention with spears at their sides line the north and south walls. Three paintings of falcons of increasing size grace the polished floor. At the western end of the chamber, a golden throne that shines like the sun sits atop a raised dais with two levels. On the lower level, are your offerings, placed at what would be the Pharaoh’s feet if he were in his throne. The ceiling is a vaulted 40’ high.
Standing by a complex scrivener’s wall in the northwest corner is Hakotep himself (image) at last! Stelle’s mummy sense is tingling for sure now. He holds the traditional crook and flail of Osirian rulership in his hands and wears a blue war crown, or khepresh, on his head. Though the Sky Pharaoh’s face is withered by mummification, traces of the handsome, imposing man he once was shine through, and it’s clear that the Mask of the Forgotten Pharaoh reflects his living visage. Florence feels a slight tug from her mask…
Four large, baboon-headed humanoid statues of glazed blue clay, clad in traditional Osirian kilts, their mouths open wide to display oversized fangs, stand near Hakotep’s throne. These statues are the Shields of Hakotep - shield guardian clay golems that stand stock still, awaiting the Pharaoh’s orders.
As you enter, he turns to you and shrieks, His dry raspy voice would carry phlegm, such is his passion, but his desiccated corpse has no such fluids.
He casts Mass Suggestion, before you can even react, and you all find yourselves facing a compunction to answer his question truthfully. Will DC 26 to resist if you wish to.
- - -
Florence
Kosei
Stelle
Zilchus
Hakotep
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Before moving through the arch Kosei wild shapes into a large fire elemental.
"So you know, I am as well surprised that we made it this far too. The absolute lack of proper signalization was a terrible oversight from your architect. Even where he placed some, it was just too cryptic and using outdated stylizing. It is only luck and a huge amount of perseverance, not to talk about a massive quantity of ingenuity, that we made it this far to meet you Pharaoh of the rotted dust" flames burn around Kosei as his transformation completes and he resists to concede his will to answer what happened to the Pharaoh's wife.
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Round 1
Will
Zilchus scoffs at the demand, thinking this twit is no less regal than his queentart.
He moves up behind a column, listening to Kosei speak and thinking what words he would like to add.
"My wise friend has it right. The signage to your chambers was lacking in the extreme, let alone the number of traps made it seem like we were unwanted guests!" Zilchus answers. "And I'm not sure we met your wife. We did meet a crap encrusted shrieking rag-wad of troll-used a~~@+@+, but I kind of think she would be out your league."
Zilchus empowers his armor with (more) fortification and power.
"Also, we kilt her. She smelt bad."
He then recasts Death Ward.
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"Well, you heard what they said!" Stelle exclaims sharply at the Mummy.
Kosei elemental profits the opportunity to slightly adjust his position in order to remain adjacent to Stelle for properly magically protecting her at the first opportunity "Oh! You meant the tentacle cooker tapestry sewing one? She was definitely an uneducated and completely deprived of the most basic refinement of Osirion nobility my friend"