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Nidhi assures everyone who will listen, garlic usage has been a secret passed down in her family for generations.
"I don't care what we do as long as we stay in Wati and fight." Nidhi frowns and places a hand on her hip, "I doubt the undead are coming from Wati, though. They have to be coming from the Necropolis - that's where all the bodies are kept. As for the beasts from an alternate plane, perhaps the chaos here is so great that it's bleeding over into other dimensions."
Nidhi watches Cahal eat, paying close attention to the other woman's lips as she shovels food inside. Today was the first time Cahal went out of her way to touch me. Nidhi sighs, but I was too frazzled to take advantage of it. Nidhi isn't sure if she wants to still pursue Cahal with their differing values. Nidhi prioritizes the city as a whole, where Cahal seems to be more family driven. Nidhi loves her grandmother, but she isn't sure if she'd be able to sacrifice the lives of Wati citizens for just one person who's already lived a full life. Nidhi grimaces and looks away when she remembers the auction hall. I wonder if it's all ash and rubble.
With the suggestion of revisiting the wall, Nidhi's eyes shine, suddenly remembering: Nidhi waves both hands excitedly and bangs on the table. Nidhi repeatedly slaps Zilchus' back with enthusiasm, his armor cool against the back of her hand. Nidhi showcases Zilchus with both of her arms pointed at him as if she's projecting a light on him. "With that very falchion, Zilchus can split any person or creature in half! Do you see all that armor? He wears it like a loincloth! This man moves with the elegance and grace of a crocodile! He'll snap all undead in half before they can overrun this city!" Nidhi climbs to stand on a tavern stool, "Yes, ladies and gentlemen, you all can rest at ease, because now we will be leaving to help defend the gate from the undead. And the fearless and mighty Zilchus will be at the frontline, defending the city with his very life! Let's give it up for our heroic savior!" Nidhi dramatically raises an arm up to catch something imaginary. Then she starts chanting and clapping to the rhythm: Nidhi is trying to create a scene.
Nidhi carefully climbs down from the chair and continues to chant and pumps her fist into the air as she exits the tavern to head with the others to the gates of the Necropolis. Nidhi will stop chanting about ten steps outside of Abdur's. Nidhi is amused at any annoyance or embarrassment she may have caused her companions. With their current circumstance, they could easily die at any time and earlier today was proof of that. So why not enjoy the moment? Nidhi grins mischievously, feeling energized by her own enthusiasm.
Zilchus' back straightens as Nidhi makes his announcement. He seems abashed, embarrassed, & uncertain how to handle Nidhi's pronouncement. He shrinks inside himself...then moreso as Nidhi continues to orate much to his embarrassment.
Stop! That's not true!
Zilchus offers an uneasy smile around the room, and then a weak wave as he wishes Nidhi would SHUT UP!
"Yeah...uh, I'm going to go get the undead right now, I guess," Zilchus offers as he nearly runs for the door and off to the Gates, barely waiting for others.
Benedictus can't hold back a laugh when Nidhi starts to incite the crowd. He looks at Zilchus, and can understand his embarassment, but does nothing to stop Nidhi. When they all finally get out of Abdur's, the wizard puts a hand on Zilchus' shoulder. "Now you're going to be a celebrity, my friend. Truth to be told, I've always wanted to be the friend of a celebrity!"
Zilchus roughly shakes Ben's hand off his shoulder, still too hurt/embarrassed/confused to appreciate the gesture.
"You think that was funny, Ben?! What happens when I'm not all the things she just said I was! What happens when I run screaming from the next mummy or whatever and everyone laughs!" Zilchus' embarrassment is turning to fuming anger. "What happens then, Ben? Why is this funny?!"
The response is slow at first, and there’s some confusion, but as Nidhi continues her tale, the crowd responds, and in kind. Their shouts echo in the streets as you walk toward the Necropolis gates. Even Abdur applauds, though you think you hear him mutter something about cutting back a bit on the liquor for folks.
None the less, the crowd is warmly appreciative, and at least some of them really mean it - you can see that ‘look’ in their eyes. Trust. Faith.
You cross the city without incident. Well, you hear the occasional far off cry for help, and there is a stillness, unnatural, cold, heartless. Not the warmth and vibrancy of the city several of you have grown up in. This was a vibrant place, but not today. Today the people are huddled - hiding - afraid.
You reach the gates before long and Bal is there, fierce as ever. She has a dozen Pharasmin warriors, and another priest, along with a half dozen or so city guard, sort of nervously milling about to themselves.
She sees you and immediately crosses through the crowd to greet you. ”My friends, welcome back! How are things going for you? As you can see, we’re getting a bit better ourselves. No shadows today either!” she says almost wistfully.
Zilchus is strangely relieved to see so many Pharasmooks tending to the Gate, not having to worry about Nihdi's prophecies just yet. He'd prefer having to single handedly fight off a horde of undead in nothing but a loincloth if possible.
"We are doing well. We had an encounter with some psycho pumps," Zilchus smiles at Bal. "The EasyBooks were no match for my blade, however. They are testy creatures to say the least."
Zilchus takes a look at the gate and into the hordes.
"When are you planning to end this horde? Or, at least, thin their numbers. We could help...or even watch. It is of interest to me, at least. And how do you plan on ending them?"
”Psycho pups?” Bal looks confused, but she takes it in stride, ”Sounds like you’ve had a more adventurous day than we. Aside from the usual groaning and scratching, it’s been very quiet here today.”
”But I don’t know about ending anything. I’m just a lesser echelon here, doing my job for now. I’m sure they have plans at the main church.” she looks a little wistful, ”I just hope they include me in the action.”
”But if you want to know what the church is doing, you should see Ptemenib. He’s close to Sebti, he’ll know what’s going on. You said you knew him.”
She turns to Florence, ”I don’t think they’re thinning, no ma’am. There seems to be some that wander about aimlessly, and others that just sit in place, so their numbers change over time, but I can’t see a pattern to it. I don’t think they’ll thin until we get in there and start cutting them down.” she seems to be eager to do just that, but she knows there are other priorities.
Cahal gives the stare to the soldiers, and they do fairly well - the Pharasmins anyway. The town guard are more unsettled, having had less training for this sort of thing, and fewer meet her eyes. But they’re here, and Bal seems to be a good leader, so maybe they’ll do OK as long as they’re not pressed too hard.
Zilchus smiles and looks around, seeing things well in hand.
"Good. Good," Zilchus pronounces happily as he doesn't need to meet Nidhi's prophecy this day. "If you have things in hand today, we'll go enjoy a restful night."
If there is nothing else here, Zilchus will return to the Milki. He is completely sure that his role in all this is nearing the end.
The party eventually decides to stop at the church of Pharasma before heading back to Milki for the night, they day being only just past half over.
Your journey to the church is without incident, though again the quietness of the city is it’s own disturbance. The church continues to be a beehive of activitiy and a tent-city of sorts has grown up in the square, heavily guarded by Pharasmans, reinforced by the city watch. There is a line of folks waiting to get into the church on various appointments and errands, and you’ve a short wait before you get to the pair of lesser acolytes handling the inflow.
They take your information, and that you wish to speak with Ptemenib, and have you wait in the large nave of the church. A runner is dispatched, and you don’t have too long to wait before the runner returns with a message. One of the acolytes initials the note, and the messenger comes to the party. ”Won’t you come with me please? I’ll take you to Ptemenib now.”
A few nondescript corridors and he opens a door and steps back. You all file in to Ptemenib’s office and the messenger closes the door behind you.
”My friends! Welcome! How are you faring this day? I trust all is well with you, or at least as well as can be expected in these times, ‘eh?!”
Zilchus accompanies the party, just in case they need protecting, but still secretly both hoping and not hoping that Nidhi's prophecies remain the delusional ramblings of a madwoman rather than reality.
He doesn't have much to say to the Pharasmooks as the others might. He listens politely and keep his thoughts to himself.
Nidhi greets Ptemenib warmly, "Ahh! It's good to see you healed and in clean clothing!" Nidhi looks the stylish priest up and down. I wish I was that fashionable.
Nidhi doesn't detail Zilchus' heroic prowess at this moment in time.
She adds to Florence's statements. "Yes, perhaps we can help you here with something?" After a moment of hesitation, Nidhi adds: "Could you maybe spare some holy water? I think we may be chasing after the Silver Chain into the Necropolis." Nidhi glances over at her companions. "Unless... you have something we could assist with."
Ptemenib responds to Florence, "Yes, Bal is wonderful. Very spirited, and she knows her business. Things here are still somewhat hectic, but we're starting to get a handle on things. The dead have risen all over the city, and out into the farms a mile or two."
"It seemed to happen all at once. A pulse of some sort, but we don't know the origin point because we don't have good reports from the countryside as to the full limits of the scope. It will take days to know for sure, and then it'll just be a guess." He shrugs, seeming more concerned about the current affairs then the beginning of it all, though he sees the importance of both.
"My task has been to get control of the city. Try to find a way to reduce the roving dead, and calm the populous. Not an easy job." he smiles.
He says to Nidhi, "Yes, we sent some troops down to inspect the area where you found me. They found my old kit!" he fondly smooths out a ruffle in his robes - well worn, but well cared for too. And as Nidhi mentioned, he is somewhat stylish.
"While the forces investigated, they found a series of tunnels. Some at least lead to the Necropolis we feel, but we don't have the resources currently to investigate. We left some folks stationed there to protect against undead incursion, but reports have been largely quiet there. A little more activity than elsewhere, but not enormously so."
"Still, if you want to investigate something for me, I do have a suggestion. There's something of a schism in the church about how best to handle this. I believe in using the local talent, people such as yourselves, to overcome and quash evil. Others wish to bring in supernatural aid to wage war on a larger scale."
"But look that's not your problem." he tries to get back to the point, he's clearly very tired, "I have reports of a disturbance near the city center in the legal district. Would you check it out for me? I'm happy to arrange holy water on your return, but we are going through the stuff pretty quickly - I'll do what I can."
If interested, he explains that a squad of the city guard encountered a screaming woman, missing both her eyes. They found a couple other bodies, also missing their eyes - when they fell back to report. He hasn't had a chance to send anyone to investigate, the town guard aren't much help, and the church forces are spread pretty thin.
He shows you on a map where the building is. It's near an old unused courthouse that Ptemenib thinks might have been converted to a mausoleum. He's not completely sure, but if so, it could be chock-full of undead trying to escape...
[dice=Knowledge Local DC 15]To the best of your knowledge, that building is simply abandoned. A relic of an older time in the judiciary, made obsolete by newer construction.
- - - [/spoiler]
Know (Local)
"Missing their eyes!? Maybe something is collecting beauty because that's where it lies," Cats exclaims in agreement. "Yeah, sure. We can go check that out. Tomorrow, probably. We've been hauling crap all day and walking all over this damn town. Even got in a fight with some Easy Book Psycho Pumps."
"Missing their eyes!? Maybe something is collecting beauty because that's where it lies,"
Nidhi nods and her eyes widen, wholly believe Zilchus' superstitious-sounding explanation. "Yes, yes! Or maybe who - or whatever stole the eyes plans on eating them to gain insight into the future! Or maybe those disappearing monstrosities of a crocodile like such delicacies." Nidhi raises a finger into the air, pointing upwards: "We should go to the site at once!" Nidhi lowers her arm, "They maybe enter the Necropolis with holy water."
Nidhi sarcastic outburst seems to please, rather than annoy, Zilchus. It is much better than unfounded promises of valor and prowess in battle. He prefers the scorn to promises he may not live up to. Also, he's more used to it.
"Sadly, the woman didn't survive to the church, so we were unable to help her. Today would be better than tomorrow, if you can see your way clear to helping out. If you cannot, I understand."
Ptemenib looks hopefully at the party.
Zilchus shrugs. He ponders. He thinks. He looks inside. And he comes to a terrible conclusion...he still doesn't know or have any real answers.
"Uhm...I'm sure we could do things tomorrow. After all, this madness arose overnight, it could just as easily subside overnight. Also, I need food," Zilchus complains and clutches his stomach.
"I think I'm a guy who has been hauling food for refugees for most of the day and who's been attacked by a zombie psycho pump and bleed a lot. I think I deserve a few steins of beer and a chance to relax."
"If the badness is there tomorrow, let's go tomorrow."
Zilchus looks at Cahal and then the setting sun. He shrugs, having said what he said. "We have two, maybe three hours until nightfall," Zilchus responds. "You want to go traipsing into the Necropolis at night? And unprepared? Now? Sure. Or maybe we go check on the eyeless lady and then call it a day."
"We can probably get to the Necropolis tomorrow, Cahal...if you think that's the source of the problem," Zilch turns to Ptemenib.
"Ptemenib, is the Necropolis safe? You Pharasmooo---Pharasmins keep it right? Do you have a map? When was the last time you were there?"
Ptemenib chuckles, "The streets aren't safe man, and you want to know if the Necropolis is? Sure... just take a moon-lit stroll."
He adds, "I cannot authorize such an expedition. My proscribed focus is on the town right now - trying to save our community and eliminate the undead walking our streets."
"If you're intent on breaching the Necropolis, and I'm not saying it's a bad idea, you should talk to High Priest Sebti. I'm happy to arrange a meeting if you like, but only she can approve such an undertaking."
Afraid of losing Cahal, Nidhi speaks up: "Into the Necropolis then. Tomorrow morning sounds good?" Nidhi tilts her head, "Okay, Sebti, then dinner, then sleep, then Necropolis?" There are simply too many options for Nidhi. She feels obligated to help everyone in Wati that she can, but there are too many problems for their one group to tackle. Still, Nidhi surmises that a trip into the Necropolis may provide answers.
Ptemenib stands and gestures for you all to follow. He walks a winding route through the temple, with lesser acolytes, priest, guards, and a multitude of refugees lining the halls and filling the chambers - a constant reminder of what’s at stake. He walks up to a door, nods to the guard standing at attention, knocks in a peremptory fashion, and opens the door striding in.
You immediately hear the raised voices of a heated argument and you see Sebti the Crocodile (image) standing behind a large desk cluttered with documents. She’s facing down a large man wearing plate armor festooned with Pharasma’s symbol.
Ptemenib apologizes briskly for the intrusion and gets straight to the point. Clearly he has a strong rapport with the head of the church, ’My lady, these adventurers wish to breach the Necropolis and see if they can learn what the source of this may be - if it even lies within. These are the ones we spoke of who found and freed my from my captors, the Silver Chain.”
- - -
The man glares fiercely at Ptemenib. He seems to be trying to wither the man where he stands, and though he doesn’t have that power, he tries none the less. Sebti seems somewhat relieved at the interruption and greets you warmly, ”Welcome to the church of Pharasma, and thank you for what you’ve done to preserve one of our own. You’ve done a great service for the church, and the city.”
”And now you wish to do even more! How lovely.” she seems genuinely pleased. ”The Necropolis is very dangerous ground these days, with the undead coming to life throughout the city. It’s the largest concentration of them - it may be hard to move around in there. What do you seek, and why do you think it’s located in the Necropolis?”
The other man, unable to continue to keep silent, bursts out, ”How can you even be considering this?! Our job is to quash this uprising, and force is the answer. We must sweep the Necropolis, re-killing everything that moves in that now accursed place. And we must do it now!”
Sebti glares at him and he grows quiet once again, but you can see his rage seething not-so-beneath the surface.
"And now you wish to do even more."
We do? Zilchus is still not convinced.
Knowledge (local)
Zilchus finds himself agreeing with the man in armor, wondering how there is any question that that is the best plan.
"Forgive me for not understanding, but how is this man's plan not the most brilliant and forceful plan out there? How is this not an easy decision? Maybe we should join forces and burn and slash our way though the undead, covered in holy water and bringing our might to bear," Zilchus asks plainly.
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The large man grins at the support, and immediately bull rushes the conversation.
he says with a savagery that echoes off the walls of this small chamber. If he were closer to the desk, he'd have slammed his hand down upon it to prove his point, but he cannot, and it frustrates him.
"What do you seek, and why do you think it’s located in the Necropolis?”
"We were one of the groups raffled to explore the Necropolis. At our third site - the Church of Nethys - we discovered someone had stolen a mask that radiated necromantic energies. The necromancy was strong that the hidden room still held traces of the aura after the mask was long gone." Nidhi places a hand on her hip and tilts her head. "Where there is necromancy, there is going to be risen dead." Nidhi raises an eyebrow "How are your garlic stores?"
Nidhi points a finger directly at who she recognizes to be Nakht Shepses. Dramatically, Nidhi declares: "You! You are Nakht Shepses, an inquisitor of Pharasma and the head of the militant wing, ‘The Voices of the Spire!' " Nidhi continues, upset. are doing a job at controlling your subordinates! We were while we were helping out Two monstrous Psychopomps came at us and " Nidhi narrows her eyes, suspiciously. She doesn't doubt Nakht may have a hand in the dark planetary magic. "Sebti, how do you know you can trust this guy when Psychopomps are being summoned to attack living people in Wati?"
Thinking fast, she asks: "You have Psychopomps!? How?"
”I am in charge of them.” he says simply and with quite the chest puffed with pride.
Nidhi points a finger directly at who she recognizes to be Nakht Shepses. Dramatically, Nidhi declares: "You! You are Nakht Shepses, an inquisitor of Pharasma and the head of the militant wing, ‘The Voices of the Spire!' " Nidhi continues, upset. are doing a job at controlling your subordinates! We were while we were helping out Two monstrous Psychopomps came at us and " Nidhi narrows her eyes, suspiciously. She doesn't doubt Nakht may have a hand in the dark planetary magic. "Sebti, how do you know you can trust this guy when Psychopomps are being summoned to attack living people in Wati?"
"Well," Nakht begins, a little less certain of his position though he warms to it quickly, "There may be some innocents harmed by the war of course.” He thinks fast and changes tack, ”…but we must measure that against the loss of life if we delay!”
He turns back to Sebti,
He continues his argument a moment longer, in much the same vein. Eventually, as he begins to repeat himself, Sebti rises her hand and he grows instantly quiet, knowing his place as her subordinate in the church hierarchy.
She waits for the air to cool a moment while she thinks. ”We must consider a war-like demeanor, for we are surely at war with these undead.” Ptemenib seems about to say something until she gives him a stare and continues. ”But we do not need to rush in blindly. Nakht. These people have a lead, and I’m inclined to let them pursue it, while our other… mortal forces, continue to sweep the city. I’ll continue to hold our psychopomp army in reserve.”
She looks at the party, ”But not for long. We cannot afford to have the dead walking the streets of our fair city. Ptemenib, give these people what support we can and get them into the Necropolis. Tell them about the Elegiac Compasses - it may help their search. Nakht, prepare your psychopomp army, but do not release any more into the city without my direct authorization.” she says firmly, making sure Nakht understands the order.
”And please report what you find to Ptemenib - day or night. We will be waiting on your reports. Oh!” she sits lightly in her chair and pulls open a lower drawer, taking out a rod and handing it to the party. ”This is a lesser ectoplasmic metamagic rod, may it help strengthen your spell casting.”
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Zilchus steps forward as he learns the psycho pumps were probably summoned by Nakht and steps back after Nidhi's outraged reaction.
Maybe I should let them talk...nah...they probably want my viewpoint. Who doesn't want my viewpoint? No one. I should speak.
"Look here. I'm not worried about them Easy Books attacking *me* anymore because I'll just send them back to whatever empty non-existence that Pharasma has them shackled to..." Zilchus begins, refraining from puffing out his own chest. "But sending a bunch of them beyond the Gates or into the Necropolis sounds like a fine idea. They seem to be very keen on killing the undead."
Zilchus looks intrigued by an idea that he has.
"Why haven't you sent a few psycho pumps into the Gates. M'Lady Bal has the situation in hand, but you could pop a few of them there to thin out the herd. That would be really fun to watch."
Zilchus doesn't know what the 'Elegiac Compasses' are but is happy to have them explained. He's also happy to go into the Necropolis, but is also wants to watch the psychopomps pummel the undead at the Gates.
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Benedictus is too confused, and at the same time too interested, to say something. He has some information about the internal frictions of the Church of Pharasma, and readily recognized Nakht as a member of the militant wing of the Church of Pharasma, the Voice of the Spire. The scholar immediately related Nakht's plan to unleash his "army" of psychopomps in the city with the esoboks the party had to fight a few hours before. At the same time, Ben understood that Ptemenib somehow belongs to a more peaceful or moderate wing of the Church, and that Sebti the Crocodile is not yet convinced by the radical approach suggested by the Voice of the Spire through their leader Nakht.
Too busy processing all of these information, Benedictus prefers to play the role of the silent scholar, who observes without saying anything.
This gives me an aura of wisdom, doesn't it? he thinks to himself, pleased.
Well, as much as I would like to look wise for the entirety of my life, I believe the time to break my silence has come.
Benedictus takes the metamagic rod from Florence. "My sincerest thanks to you, milady," he says while performing a formal but discreet bow to Sebti, "this rod will be a useful aid, I'm sure."
Ben smiles kindly to the woman, then turns to Zilchus. His expression becomes immediately stern. "Zilchus, now cut it out. We all know you're funny and your sarcasm is the source of many amusant moments, but now it's not the time for it. Stop suggesting silly ideas, and stop playing the part of the one who doesn't care about the people." Ben's gaze his harsh. He clearly didn't like Zilchus' suggestion to leave the psychopomps free. Especially because you don't know anything about psychopomps, and don't know the consequences of your choice.
"Very well, to the Necropolis then."
"Why haven't you sent a few psycho pumps into the Gates. M'Lady Bal has the situation in hand, but you could pop a few of them there to thin out the herd. That would be really fun to watch."
booms the inquisitor, nodding in agreement with Zilchus.
But Sebti raises her hand, "The minions, once summoned, aren't under control. They prefer undead flesh, but as consummate warriors, they will attack anything, or anyone, they see. Their use is a last resort."
And with that she sends you on your way with Ptemenib.
Ptemenib takes you back through the crowded corridors to his rooms, ”That went better then I’d hoped. I thought Sebti was going to authorize the psychopomp army - we don’t want that! Wati might never recover from such a battle.” The fear shows clearly on his face.
”Now, let’s get you all the information I can. I’ve spent some time in the Necropolis lately, as I was working on finding good dig sites for the Pharaoh’s Tomb Lottery. That’s how I stumbled across the Silver Chain leads which led me to their hideout. However, I always came and went by the main gate, which is something of a problem just now. That said, we did find some smugglers tunnels under the Silver Chain’s lair after you saved me.”
”Those tunnels should lead you under the wall and into the Necropolis proper, and without attracting notice if my suspicions are correct.” he takes out a Map of Wati (link) and spreads it out before him.
He points to the map and puts bits of copper over areas G, K, L, M, and O. ”These are what we call Elegiac Compasses. We haven’t used them in decades, so I don’t know if any of them will still be working, but if so these devices sense necromantic energy. Our inquisitors have used them to track and subdue strong pockets of undead in the Necropolis throughout the centuries. I suggest you start there, and if they work, you should be able to triangulate onto this mask you seek. If it’s as powerful as you say, it’ll be revealed easily enough.”
”However, if that doesn’t do it, or they’re just not working, I’ve made contact with some Dark Folk called the Xotl who dwell beneath Vizier’s Hill. You could speak with Unwrapped Harmony, their leader, in the old villa of the Asetiti family, here.” he puts a silver bit over area I. ”I do not know how much they will help you, but it could be worth a try.”
”Finally, there are some residents I’ve only recently become aware of who are somewhat troubling. A cult of Lamia called the Amushet. It’s a stretch that they’re involved, but, well, they are evil, so who knows what they’re up to in there.” He puts another silver bit over area H. ”This is the Cenotaph of the Cynic, and I think where they make their lair.”
”Those are the leads I have. When will you be headed into the Necropolis and what can I do to help you prepare?”
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"Zilchus, now cut it out. We all know you're funny and your sarcasm is the source of many amusant moments, but now it's not the time for it. Stop suggesting silly ideas, and stop playing the part of the one who doesn't care about the people." Ben's gaze his harsh. He clearly didn't like Zilchus' suggestion to leave the psychopomps free. Especially because you don't know anything about psychopomps, and don't know the consequences of your choice.
Zilchus responds by poking his finger into Ben's chest, now equally annoyed. "Nothing I said was sarcasm, a!$%%@#. But this is war and taking out our best allies because you're afraid isn't a way to win a war." Zilchus looks annoyed that Ben thinks he's just playing.
"We should have listened to Nakht and sent in a few dozen psycho pumps to clear the area out so our job would be easier. Now we gotta find a way through that Mob or go digging under," Zilchus pokes his finger again into Ben's chest. "Don't you be complaining at me *I* have to cut a way for *you* through a few hordes of undead. This is why we warriors should be in charge of army things. We think good about stuff."
* * *
He points to the map and puts bits of copper over areas...
Zilchus looks over the map, pondering the options before him now that the psychopomp army is no longer an option. He looks at Ptemenib as he explains.
"Are you saying that there are many humanoids living within the Necropolis? I had thought it was kept empty and uninhabited...but dark folk are allowed to make their homes there?" Zilchus seems really confused.
Ptemenib doesn't get in the middle of the party conversation, but when asked about the Necropolis, he responds, "Well we do try and keep it relatively clear, but there's only so much we can do short of daily incursions. Mostly we leave it be, and mostly it's empty of living and unliving folk."
"But some do drift in a while, until we manage to drive them off, or convince them to leave. It's a large area, and the Pharaoh gives us no resources, so we manage with what the church can provide." he says without rancor or hostility. He seems to accept that life isn't perfect, and you do the best you can with the tools at your disposal.
"And it is our calling after all." he adds with a grin. "So we're happy to do what we can."
Ben witnesses, eyes wide open, to Zilchus's display of egotism. At first, the scholar seems intimidated by his friend's behaviour, but eventually he rebels against it. "You think about good stuff? Please, it's already a lot to say warriors think at all! Add a qualitative accident to it? No, no, that's impossible."
Ben shakes off some dust from his clothes and takes a few steps away from Zilchus. "Anyway, I was referring to the whole «Why this concerns us? Why don't we leave it to the Pharasmooks? Why we're so tired when Ben cast two disks that carried all the weight for us?» What do you say about this? I mean, I hope you were being sarcastic when you said those things, because the Zilchus I know would not ever think something so selfish."
***
After listening to Ptemenib's breafing, Benedictus takes a long breath. "Wow, now there are a lot of tasks indeed. Are you ready, party?" asks the scholar, turning to his friends...including Zilchus.
"Shall we start from the Elegiac Compasses?"