GM Euan's Mummy's Mask (Inactive)

Game Master Euan

"I can't believe this is it. did we really look everywhere? What about that room where the statues attacked us? Did we try stepping on that circle Ben warned us about? Did we actuallt search that room? I say we start with this one..." offers Cahal.

"Wait...you mean after we double-check everything here, we'll be done? The lottery will be over? But...then what?" Florence asks, suddenly looking rather lost. "Do we just...go back home, then?"

What home?

"I...I think Cahal's right, there's still a lot that we haven't looked at. We only glanced at most of what was upstairs since we were in such a hurry to catch up with the Scorched Hand! We really need to take our time and make sure that we didn't miss anything important. Maybe even check everything twice..."

The party starts downstairs, going room to room, searching the nooks and crannies of each chamber for anything hidden. Anything the Scorched Hand may have been after. Anything worth protecting as much as this place was protected.

But you come up empty.

Before returning to the upper chambers, and searching further there, you spend another hour on the hallways, checking here and there for anything substantive.

As you're about to give up, and head upstairs with the bodies of the scorched earth members for burial or whatever, Zilchus spies a crack in the wall, but not along the stones. The crack leads to another, and another, and a doorway is discovered.

Nidhi checks the door for traps, and finding none, steps back to allow its opening. The chamber beyond is somwhat large.

A stone effigy of a humanoid figure stands at the north end of this room, its arms spread in a gesture of supplication, or as if commanding an object to rise in the air. The figure’s face is devoid of detail, with only vague contours where the eyes and nose should be. An extensive series of hieroglyphs covers the western wall, opposite a stone bench that stands against the eastern wall.

You also find a dead necrophidius - a snake-like construct. You also find quite a pool of blood on the floor, likely from the same source you found in great drops on the upper stairwell - whomever fought the snake.

Perception, knowledge religion, and/or knowledge arcana (with detect magic) for a little more information.

Zilchus cracks his back, then his knuckles as he reviews the newfound room.

"S#$$. Can't believe we missed this on the way in," he sighs, looking the others. He begins his usual checks hoping for the best and ignoring the written warnings. He examines the hieroglyphs and offers what help he can to others.

1d20 + 9 ⇒ (15) + 9 = 24 Perception
1d20 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 6 + 1 = 11 Know (Religion)

"Well...we were in a bit of a hurry," Florence notes as they peer into this new, hidden room. "But look, see the blood? I know it was kind of hard to tell but it didn't look like any of the Scorched Hand had any injuries when we found them...but...no, that doesn't make any sense does it?"

She shakes her head. "At any rate, at least we managed to find this place."

While those who can read the hieroglyphs spend time studying them, Florence tries her best to help Zilchus investigate the rest of the chamber.

Perception: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (10) + 3 = 13
Kn. Arcana + Detect Magic: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (16) + 9 = 25

"I'd say the whole town decided to search this temple today!" Cahal mumbles, not pleased with the prospect of competition.

Does the blood form a trail?

Zilchus studies the humanoid effigy and notices subtle indentations around the figure’s ears and chin as if something was supposed to be placed over the figure’s head or upon its face. Even closer inspection and he can see that while a fine layer of dust coats the body of the effigy, the head is free of dust, as if it once wore some sort of mask or headdress that was removed recently.

Florence says the entire room has a dim magical aura, centered on the effigy. The nature of the aura is difficult to identify, but she's able to determines that until recently, the room held a source of necromantic power of overwhelming strength.

Although magic items must normally be destroyed to leave behind a lingering magical aura, the power of the missing object permeated this chamber during the long time it was stored here, constituting a special exception to that rule.

Cahal, the party has identified some tracks from here leading up the stairs, where apparently whomever it was bound or healed their injury and bled no more. Why they didn't do it while down here is anyones guess, but if it was not the Scorched Hand, they may have been hiding from them.

You found no mask or headdress on the Scorched Hand.

"Crap! Someone else beat us up to the prize! We need to find that thief!" Cahal spits with rage.

"Whatever was here...it was powerful, really, really powerful..." Florence shivers. "So powerful that I think its aura even bled through and coated this entire room over time. A necromantic aura..."

Where Cahal is enraged by the thought of having lost whatever prize was hidden here, Florence appears worried. "I don't like this. Maybe whatever it was was put here for a reason and now there's someone or someones out there running around with it. That can't be good!"

Zilchus grunts, downplaying the mask.

"Meh. So we didn't get a mask? We got everything else. While I'm sure it's valuable, I bet some of the other stuff we got is just as good." Zilchus looks around a bit more for anything they might have missed.

"I bet this is the last we've seen or heard of the mask. But if was of any importance at all, then it might have been protected better...It was barely hard to find at all and no wards, traps, or monsters, unlike that statue we found downstairs. I bet that will fetch a good price at auction. Speaking of which, we can keep an eye out for it in the auction, right?"

"Maybe we'll find who stole it there."

During Florence, Cahal, and Zilchus' conversation, Nidhi reaches into her trail rations and pulls out a pathetic-looking clove of garlic. She crumbles it between her fingers and superstitiously spreads it on the floor of the hidden chamber. Florence said necromantic aura? Better get out the garlic. Nidhi stands at the first square inside the room and drops tiny specs of garlic on the floor as if she were feeding chickens.

When Nidhi finishes dropping garlic uselessly to the floor, she steps back out into the hallway. "I don't know if the thief would be moronic enough to try to sell something like that. The room was hidden." Nidhi frowns and places a hand on her hip, tilting her head. The movement causes Nidhi's braid to slide from being draped over her shoulder to her back.

"I'd like to check out the library upstairs before we leave. Last time we showed Abdur our haul, he seemed most interested in the books." Nidhi takes a 5-foot step towards the door, positioning herself closer to Cahal.

Zilchus’ remark about the end of the time together brings to Ben’s attention a point he had not considered. Bonds create feelings, both joyful and sad.

The scholar freezes in place for a moment. His eyes go through his friends.

Cahal. You don’t like me, isn’t it? But I admire you. You’re strong, both in mind and body. And you’re resolute. Pragmatic, as well. You gave us a great help, and I won’t forget it…

Ben’s eyes then set on Florence. The scholar blushes a bit. So many things I won’t ever say to you. Things that are probably best sealed within my heart. But I will miss your company. You’ve been so kind to me, always there when I needed it. And you’re making so many progresses in the arcane arts that you’re likely to outmatch me in no time. I will always remember you as well...

Ben sighs, his eyes moving to Nidhi. You’re crazy! But still, I like you. You remind me of everything that is pure and pristine in this world, with that touch of wildness that makes it even more natural. You had some strange doubts about me, but I know you trust me now. And so do I…such a shame our ways must part…

Finally, Ben looks at Zilchus. He tries hard not to break down and cry. My friend. I can not imagine a better friend than you. You protected me, taught me a lot of lesson without even speaking, you kept watch on me, you prodded me when I was down and mocked me when I was high. I…I just don’t want to leave you. You’re the closest thing to a good friend I ever had, and now our ways must part. Life is so cruel…

When he turns to his companions, there’s a single tear dropping from Ben’s eye. The scholar takes a long breath and wipes it. He does not say a thing, but the sadness in his eyes reveal more than word ever could.

***

Ben finds Florence’s proposal to suit his spiritual needs and immediately gives his consent to it. Spending more time with his friends before having to say goodbye sounds just like what he needs.

***

“The Forgotten Pharaoh?!” Shocked by the message, Ben sits down and thinks hard.

Knowledge (arcana) check: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (10) + 10 = 20
Knowledge (history) check (about the Forgotten Pharaoh): 1d20 + 10 + 3 ⇒ (11) + 10 + 3 = 24
Knowledge (religion) check: 1d20 + 10 + 1 ⇒ (16) + 10 + 1 = 27

The lower level has been thoroughly searched.

"Dammit!"

Ben's voice echoes through the rooms of the lowel level. "I don't know who this Forgotten Pharaoh is, my friends. He's actually forgotten, apparently. But with proper research, perhaps I could learn more...I need to pay another visit at the Grand Library very soon."

The scholar stands up and walks closer to the group. "Oh, and also...perhaps you already know it, but I can't refrain myself from telling you that the "ka", according to Ancient Osiriani conception of pneumology...I mean, according to the ancient Osirian conception of the soul, was...Well, was our soul, that which distinguishes the living from the dead. There was some debate at the time concerning the number of its parts, but the majority of the ancients subscribed to the fivefold theory of soul...I mean, they thought that the ka was divided in five parts."

Zilchus is immediately interested in the first part of Ben's revelations.

Ben's voice echoes through the rooms of the lowel level. "I don't know who this Forgotten Pharaoh is, my friends. He's actually forgotten, apparently. But with proper research, perhaps I could learn more...I need to pay another visit at the Grand Library very soon."

"Oh yeah! That's good, Ben. Maybe that is what your research and your book will be about, Ben." Zilchus adopts a deeper tone with a star-wipe hand gesture: "The Forgotten Pharaoh: Mystery No More Subtitle: The Life and Story as told by Benedictus Dickens, Osirion's Premier Archeologist. I think that will be great. After we finish with the auction, you'll have plenty of money to find a quiet place to begin your writing and research." Zilchus smiles at the big vision.

But then Ben drones on...

"Words...worms...boobs...words...."

...and Zilchus' attention falters.

"Yeah good. Let's get uptop and clean out up there as well."

"So...should we be worried or not?" Florence asks, looking from Ben to Zilchus with uncertainty. "I don't care that someone made off with a mask; we've found plenty as it is and should be able to get a nice haul at auction. It just bothers me that someone went to the trouble to hide it here and write that warning; hidden things are usually hidden for a reason, right? Unless this was someone's idea of a grand joke."

She sighs, shoulders slumping a bit. "But you're right, there's probably no way we can track whoever took it down at this point. Between us and the Scorched Hand this place has been tracked all over so good luck finding any footprints. We may as well head back upstairs and finish looking around."

The party moves upstairs and look outside for the first time in a while. It’s mid-afternoon, and the heat hits you as you come up from the cooler air below. You can only imagine how uncomfortable it must be in the sun. You turn left from the stairs and head into the library to see what can be found. As you enter the library, you hear some rusting, and then there’s stillness. It makes everyone nervous, but especially Benedictus.

Rows of stone shelves fill this crowded room. Most of the books and scrolls once stored here have disintegrated over time, but a few volumes engraved on more durable materials still endure. Numerous scroll tubes litter the floor of the room amid the dusty remains of ruined paper and papyrus. This was the temple’s library, which once contained an impressive collection of works both mundane and magical. There is ample evidence that the room has been recently sacked and searched.

Suddenly, one of the scrolls leaps to the air and flies (image)!

-Round Surprise-
Benedictus - 16
- Round 1-
Nidhi - 20
Florence - 18
Benedictus - 16
Cahal - 12
Good Folks - 6
Zilchus - 3

First up - Benedictus in the surprise round, then everyone but Zilchus in round one.

Keep in mind that although Cahal is adjacent to the scroll, there is in fact a wall separating them. It's a tight space.

"Oh, and also...perhaps you already know it, but I can't refrain myself from telling you that the "ka", according to Ancient Osiriani conception of pneumology...I mean, according to the ancient Osirian conception of the soul, was...Well, was our soul, that which distinguishes the living from the dead. There was some debate at the time concerning the number of its parts, but the majority of the ancients subscribed to the fivefold theory of soul...I mean, they thought that the ka was divided in five parts."

Nidhi nods with eager fascination. She’s familiar with ka but she enjoys hearing the professor explain it in his usual mannerisms. Five parts to a soul… makes sense. It’s hard to express oneself properly if the self consists on only one part. Nidhi concedes that the Forgotten Pharaoh may remain forgotten but she doesn’t see it as a bad thing. Society has functioned this long without the knowledge so perhaps the Pharaoh’s clandestine past is meant to be.

Nidhi is pulled from her inner contemplation as Florence reminds the party of the Scorched Hand. Nidhi frowns and her brows crease, anger surfacing to her facial features. Nidhi’s foul mood is only improved by the sunlight and possibilities of uncovering some rare tomb detailing the ancient past.

Round 1:

Nidhi sees one of the scrolls animate and vocalizes an impromptu rhyme:

”We’re here for a treasure of the unconventional kind,
A treasure that does not sparkle or shine.
Get out of our way you foul moth-smelling thing,
You’re not what we want, not now, not ever, not today.”

As Nidhi begins to Inspire Courage, she pulls out her bow.

⁞⁞⁞⁞ SURPRISE ROUND ⁞⁞⁞⁞

‖‖‖‖‖‖‖‖ • Initiative: 16 • ‖‖‖‖‖‖‖‖

“Hey but…an animating scroll?! Cool! I mean…” Ben tries not to lose his good mood and he sees the unlikely menace suddenly becoming aggressive. “Believe me, it hurts me having to damage you…”, he says, addressing to the scroll. Then the scholar moves behind Zilchus.

⁞⁞⁞⁞ ROUND 1 ⁞⁞⁞⁞

Once in position, Ben draws his scorching wand and directs it at the scroll!
_________________________
Ben casts scorching ray from the wand (3 charges left).

Prescience roll: 1d20 ⇒ 1
Knowledge (arcana) check: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (12) + 10 = 22 (DR, weaknesses, special abilities)

Scorching ray ranged touch attack: 1d20 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 3 + 1 = 5
Scorching ray damage: 4d6 ⇒ (4, 2, 6, 3) = 15

"HEY! WATCH THE FACE!!!" Zilchus ducks as Ben's fiery ray shoots by his head.

Way to roll double attack 1s, Ben. :).

"Use magic weapons!" cries out Ben. "And...well, if you use magic, perhaps try aiming better than me! Sorry, Zil!"

Round 1, Init 18

"An animating what??" Florence exclaims, doing a double-take as she peers around the corner. "Yikes! Cahal, see if you can skewer it with your spear!"
______

Using Combat Advice on Cahal; she gets a +2 on her next attack roll vs. the scroll. Note, this doesn't stack with Inspire Courage.

Nidhi inspires courage and pulls out her bow, ready for action. Florence gives Cahal a boost and sends her into the fray. Benedictus moves into position and tries to fry the scroll, musing wildly and hitting another parchment, burning it to a crisp. Cahal DMPC shifts to the other side of Zilchus and tries to get her spear down the hall through cover (the bookcases are in her way a little) Having a magic weapon, she does full damage.

Cahal: 1d20 + 7 + 2 - 4 ⇒ (14) + 7 + 2 - 4 = 19 damage: 1d8 + 5 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 5 + 1 = 9

Meanwhile the scroll 5’ flaps up to Zilchus and tries to give him a nasty paper cut!
scroll on Zilchus: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (20) + 9 = 29 damage: 1d4 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5 plus grab: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (2) + 9 = 11
crit threat scroll on Zilchus: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (17) + 9 = 26 damage: 1d4 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5

Zillchus is not grasped by the parchment, but the cuts do bleed ever so much. Zilchus suffers 1d2 bleed damage at the start of his round.

-Round 1-
Zilchus - 3 (-10hp, bleed 1d2)
- Round 2-
Nidhi - 20
Florence - 18
Benedictus - 16
Cahal - 12
Good Folks - 6 (-9hp)

Now up - everyone!

Round 1, Init 3

"Bleeding? Am I bleeding!?" Zilchus puts his hand to the wound trying to compress the wound while drawing his blade. If he was quicker, he might have been able to stop the scroll...but no...bleeding....

1d2 ⇒ 2 bleed damage

He swings at the bloody scroll with all his might.

1d20 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (12) + 6 + 1 = 19 to hit; (+grunt)
2d4 + 7 ⇒ (3, 3) + 7 = 13 slashing damage.

Round 2:

Nidhi maintains her Inspire Courage as she aims for the animated scroll. With enough force, maybe I can pin the thing against the wall with an arrow.

To hit: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (16) + 6 = 22 19/20 Arrows Remaining
(Bard 1st level +0, Bard 2nd level +1, Bard 3rd level +1, Dex +2, Point-Blank Shot +1, Inspire Courage +1)

Damage: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4
(Str +1, Point-Blank Shot +1 (30ft), Inspire Courage +1)

⁞⁞⁞⁞ ROUND 2 ⁞⁞⁞⁞

“Oh come on Zilchus! Don’t tell me you will be defeated by a scroll! I would remind it to you forever!”

His wand already in his hands, Benedictus tries again, hoping for better luck.
_________________________
Ben casts scorching ray from the wand (2 charges left).

Prescience roll: 1d20 ⇒ 2

Scorching ray ranged touch attack: 1d20 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 3 + 1 = 7
Scorching ray damage: 4d6 ⇒ (4, 2, 1, 3) = 10

Round 2, Init 18

"Fire in a tiny room with floor to ceiling papers!? Really?" Florence shrieks, backing into a corner as Ben continues trying to zap the offending scroll. "Come on Cahal, hit it again before the place burns down around us!"
______

Combat Advice on Cahal once more (as well as a 5 foot step back)!

Zilchus slashes the paper sending scraps flying, though he does less than expected with his mundane blade. Nidhi shooting through the bookcase (improved cover -8) doesn’t manage to connect, but her inspiration continues to push the party. Florence gives Cahal another nudge in the right direction, hoping for the best. Benedictus continues to be unlucky with his attacks with the powerful wand. Cahal DMPC steps back into the stacks and tries another swing with her longspear.

Cahal longspear: 1d20 + 7 + 2 - 4 ⇒ (11) + 7 + 2 - 4 = 16 damage: 1d8 + 5 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 5 + 1 = 12

Cahal uses her spear to close the gap, utilizing it's magics to give an additional +1 bonus to hit, allowing her to connect and downing the flapping document.

-Round 2-
Zilchus - 3 (-12hp, bleed 1d2)
- Round 3-
Nidhi - 20
Florence - 18
Benedictus - 16
Cahal - 12
Good Folks - 6 (-29hp)

We are out of initiative.

"Oh thank the gods..." Florence sighs with relief as Cahal finishes off the pesky scroll. "I really hope that's the only one of those lurking around in here," she grumbles as she produces the healing wand and quickly patches Zilchus up. "It's bad enough having the masonry attack but the books and scrolls, too? What's next, will one of the old chairs or tables in here try to eat one of us?"

Once Zilch is taken care of, Florence turns her attention back to the numerous books and scrolls and begins to search through some of them...albeit a bit nervously.

Perception: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (11) + 3 = 14

"Dammit, I'm still bleeding!" Zilchus worries until Florence thoughtfully and quickly brings healing to bear. With that, he regains some of his swagger back. He reaches into his backpack to draw out the jug of applejack that he had shared with Ben on the yester to bolster the man's courage.

He takes a swig and offers it around. "I figure we're done, ain't we? There can't be more here..."

"...Ben? Drink? Florence?"

Nidhi shakes her head. "Are you sure you should be drinking? There could be more fights today." Nidhi puts away her bow and tucks a loose strand of hair behind her ear.

With her bow strapped across her back, Nidhi turns around in the circle, looking around. "Ben," Nidhi jokes, "This should be your favorite room in the building." Nidhi smiles, hopeful that there may be historical texts left behind.

Perception: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (8) + 8 = 16

Nidhi walks down the closest bookshelf aisle and casts Detect Magic as she walks. If any books or scrolls catch Nidhi's interest (if Nidhi thinks they may have value), Nidhi will attempt to study them with more interest. See map.

"Whew! That was close!" Ben breathes a sigh of relief and wipes the sweat from his forehead with his hand. "Zilchus? Are you alright?", the scholar says, kneeling down close to this friend. After Florence brings her healing and Zilchus gets back to his senses, Ben smiles agan. "I believe we're done, Zilchus. Anyway, it honors me that you've placed me before drink. That's nice of you". Ben laughs and smiles to Florence as well. A nice group. The best one.

Ben sighs, shrugs and starts searching the room, trying to occupy his mind elsewhere. "Indeed it is, Nidhi!"

Perception check (take 20 -> checking the room): 20 + 10 = 30
Perception check (quick search of the books): 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (9) + 10 = 19

Zilchus smiles at Nidhi as he takes a drink, then another.

"My blade still cuts, don't you worry. But my thirst is cutting me more. We're almost done and quite loaded up. To us!" Zilchus takes another drink then keeps a lazy watch while others examine the library for leftover goodies.

It’s clear that someone searched this area prior to your arrival, but they didn’t do a very thorough job. Going through all the documents here, and taking away what may be of value, will take about a day’s searching and pouring over manuscripts. Who knows what you may find if you spend the time.

But you do find a couple things in a ‘cursory’ search. A scroll of detect secret doors, apparently recently dropped, a scroll of remove paralysis that was somewhat buried under some other scrolls and documents, and a secret panel to the NW.

You also find an unrolled papyrus scroll discarded on the floor. It describes, in Ancient Osiriani, how magicians of Osirion’s First Age could alter elementals to new forms and purposes. One such example s the ahkat.

The ahkat is an elemental entity that dwells within a single building or structure, such as a monument, temple, or manor. The floors and walls of this structure are the ahkhat’s veins and arteries, and the doors and windows of the building are the creature’s fingers and toes. An ahkhat exists solely to maintain and protect its attuned structure. Far from a mere house servant or magical butler, an ahkhat is its structure’s consciousness incarnate.

Ahkhats are bound to their structures via a special keystone that’s intrinsically attuned to the ahkhat, and they cannot leave the premises of their own volition. Furthermore, ahkhats cannot move through or manipulate structurally damaged parts of their attuned buildings, so they have a vested interest in maintaining the integrity of their demesnes.

When an ahkhat manifests, most often it emerges from a wall as a humanoid-like head, arms, and a torso that jut out. While ahkhats can manifest full bodies as well, since they cannot move away from their attuned structures, they rarely have cause to.

"Uh...you know what? Sure - I'll have a drink," Florence responds, taking a (small) drink once Zilch passes the jug to her. "Ooh, forgot how bitey this is for a cider! Not something I'd drink all the time but a little every once in awhile would be a nice treat," she smiles at Zilch and Ben as she returns the jug.

Kn. Arcana: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (4) + 9 = 13

Once Ben explains a little bit about the contents of the papyrus scroll, Florence tries to recall if she's ever seen or heard of anything quite like the creature described in it but comes up with nothing.

"However that thing was made is definitely beyond my understanding," she says with a shake of her head. "Wouldn't you have to be pretty powerful to bind something like that to a building?"

Knowledge (history) check: 1d20 + 10 + 3 ⇒ (12) + 10 + 3 = 25

"Mmmh...Very interesting. Ahkhats have an ancient history, and the presence of one of them here is certainly important. I'm going to write a small treatise about this subject, for sure!"

Ben tries to steer his thoughts away from the unsettling evidence that others have searched this place before them. And the implications thereof. "Shall we come back to the world of the living, my friends? We should celebrate our success...and report what happened with the Scorched Hands to the authorities, I suppose..."

Zilchus agrees with Ben...it's time to celebrate. He offers the applejack around even as he tries to pack everything up.

"Yeah, let's get back," Zilchus mentions, loading up the ass with everything identified of interest. With the ass loaded, Zilchus will lead the party to where they tied up the goon from the day before yesterday.

"Maybe he's still alive. Maybe."

"I hope so...at least we left him in the shade, I think," Florence agrees as she follows Zilch.

Ben makes a move to leave, before suddenly stopping. "OK, it's official. I can't do it". The scholar shakes his head and turns to his companions. "As much as I want to see the light of the sun again, have a few drink and get rich selling our treasure, I've not been completely honest." Ben widens his eyes, realizing that his companions could misinterpret his words. "I mean, I...I believe we should stay another day. Just one more. Or at least I have to. I need to study everything in here...There's so much we didn't understand yet, and I feel like we should get to the bottom of it."

Ben sighs. "Now. I don't think I would be safe here alone, so I'm asking to at least one of you to stay with me. The others can get back to Wati, I suppose..."

"I agree with Benedictus. I think we should stay one more night. I'm curious about this library as well. It could be the only place with answers." And possibly has a text Abdur might be interested in.

Nidhi moves to stand closer to Benedictus. "I'll help you search though all this material." Nidhi motions a hand towards the bookshelves. Because of the pillars the party saw, is it safe to assume this is the most recent building the party has visited?

...a scroll of remove paralysis that was somewhat buried under some other scrolls and documents, and a secret panel to the NW.

**cough**cough**

Zilchus continues his lazy lookout, sipping his applejack while he waits for the others.

"Don't forget about that guy. That guy might still be tied up," Zilchus nags.

"Oh, a secret panel! I'm going to take a look," Nidhi examines the newly revealed area. Nidhi takes her time examining the panel. Detect Magic.

Knowledge (History): 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (5) + 5 = 10

"Where do you think the keystone is? This place is just creating more questions. And we still don't know who Muhsin el-Masri is - you all remember - that sculpture hidden by the fountain. And was anyone sleeping in that preserved bed?"

Benedictus smiles at Nidhi and lowers his head, in a mix of embarrassment and gratitude. “Thank you Nidhi, I’m sure it’ll be worth it.”

Ben then turns his attention to Zilchus. “What guy? You mean that secret panel?” Benedictus gestures toward the hidden panel. “Shall we open it before kicking off the research?”

Knowledge (history) check (if needed for the day-long research): 1d20 + 10 + 3 ⇒ (17) + 10 + 3 = 30

Piercing the secret panel reveals a small space which holds valuable riches. You find a scroll of align weapon, a scroll of halt undead, a scroll of knock, and a wand of lesser restoration (10 charges). You find a tablet of languages lost (link) worth about 2,000gp as well.

You also find a second stone tablet (link) written in Ancient Osiriani hieroglyphs. Deciphered, it reads, ”By Royal Order of Pharaoh Djederet II - The high priest of our blessed temple shall take this relic to our new city where the Asp and Crook join and ensure it is never discovered. Treat it with reverence, but conceal it with your most trusted secrets and valuable treasures. To not attempt its destruction, do not be tempted by its powers. Let our scandal remain forgotten until this obscenity can be undone.”

There’s an invisible symbol (revealed by the inevitable detect magic) of an eye bisected by a vertical line. Knowledge Religion to learn more about the mark.

Benedictus (using your last roll), master of history, tells you that Djederet II was pharaoh of Osirion sometime around -1600 ar, over 6,000 years ago. He can identify the city mentioned in the tablet as Wati, and knows that Djederet II founded the city.

Zilchus comes over and picks up the tablet, turns it over, examines it and hands it back.

1d20 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 6 = 8 Know (Religion) Might be an extra +1 for that trait.

“What guy? You mean that secret panel?”

"That guy! THAT GUY!" Zilchus repeats unsure how Ben could forget about the man that tried to kill him. "How many people try to kill you and then you leave them tied up out in the sun for 2 days, Ben? How many? That guy!" Zilchus takes another swig of Applejack and offers it around.

Knowledge (Religion): 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 5 = 7

"There seems to be a symbol on this second tablet but I'm not sure what it means." Nidhi's eyebrows crease together.

~*~*~*~*~*~

"Should we retrieve the guy we tied up and bring him here for the night? With the Scorched Hand dead by our hand, perhaps we don't need the thug's testimony." Nidhi waves her hand towards the bookshelves. With the Zilchus' quick coup de grace on the two remaining members of the Scorched Hand, Nidhi has a hard time comprehending Zilchus' empathy for the thug. It's unfortunate he's been tied up for so long but how is he any different from the Socrched Hand? "If we get him now or tomorrow, he might be dead... So, perhaps we should go get him now rather than later? Just to have him here with us so he isn't eaten by a giant sand scorpion."

Nidhi looks at each of her companions, wondering if they want to retrieve the prisoner and come back or retrieve the prisoner after searching the library.

Ben gives to his companions all the explanations needed. Personally, he's so deeply interested in the whole matter that he's not able to think about anything else for the whole day. What if the Forgotten Pharaoh is this Djederet II? It seems unlikely, but...I need to do more research.

During the day of study, Ben not only reads all the books his mind is able to tolerate, but also takes some pain to copy the most important information from both the tables and the books.

After a whole day, he's only partially satisfied. "We should take ALL these books with us. We need to get us a magic container or something along that line..." Shrugging, the scholar adds. "But I know we can't bring all the books with us now. I will see if I manage to convince the priests to let me send someone trustworthy here to do the job. Anyway, now we can really go".

***

Later that day, Benedictus finds himself wondering about the bisected eye. A Nethysian sect, perhaps?

Knowledge (religion) check: 1d20 + 9 + 1 ⇒ (15) + 9 + 1 = 25

***

"Oh, yes! That guy!" Ben nods. "I think he's either dead or escaped. But I guess we'll find out."

Ben is not concerned at all with "the guy's" fate. His mind is completely focused on research, and he proves of little help in taking a decision about what to do with "the guy".

As Ben helpfully explains the meaning behind the things they find in some of the books, scrolls, and the hidden tablets, the more uneasy Florence grows.

"More proof that they hid something here, something really important and dangerous," she frets. "And now it's gone and who knows who might've taken it. Am I the only one even the least bit worried about any of this?" she asks, looking around at her companions. However, even she couldn't really place why she felt as worried as she did.

People probably make off with hidden artifacts all the time, all over the world - and the world hasn't ended yet. So why so jumpy, Flo?

With some effort, she tries to put her own worries aside and focus on the here-and-now - such as what to do about 'that guy'. "Uh...I guess if we're going to camp out here again then at least a couple of us should go check on him. And Nidhi's got a point too; he wasn't the one who made the deal with the Scorched Hand so he couldn't identify them. If he's still alive then maybe we can just let him go with a warning or something."

Zilchus shakes his head and begins to grab any book that Ben seems keen on and shoving (a bit drunkenly) into a sack.

"We gotta get back. This is no place for celebrating...and that guy, don't forget about that guy. Let's go, let's go..." Zilchus indelicately grabs a few more books and puts them in a sack and shoves it in Ben's chest. He takes a few more books and stacks them in Ben's arms.

"You can come back tomorrow, but we gotta go."

Zilchus takes another sip of applejack, makes another sweep of the top to be sure they haven't left anything (other than a nice steaming upper-altar-decker from Zilchus' behind) and packs up the team to go.