The city of Eto has always thrived on trade, though not with any fine silks or prized cattle. Indeed, any citizen of Eto will tell you that their lifeblood can be found buried in the past, a past of untold riches and forgotten relics waiting to be revealed by the winds that relentlessly scour the land.
One such discovery has caught the attention Gej Mufar, an archaeologist, and it is to his home that you have summoned this night.
The desert winds were more abrasive than Laknir was expecting, but he was glad he listened to Gej's advice on clothing. It would have been a much worse experience crossing through the border into Osirion in his shirt with manifold folds and boots.
He didn't want to admit it, but the heat was getting to Laknir, and he was itching for somewhere to duck inside. The locals looked at him like he had 2 heads, which was an enjoyable step up from usual. Luckily the cool evening had rolled around.
Nice to be home, sir? As I said before, our order thanks you for contacting us for assistance. On a personal note, I can say I'm glad to get the opportunity myself. I never dreamed I'd get to come to Osirion. Not quite getting the response I expected though. He says in a formal tone.
|
Korim looks through the window, contemplating the beautiful city.
"Well, Mister Mufar, collor me impressed. I dinnae know ye humans were capable of buildin' such a beautiful city. I bet its even more beautiful underground, eh?"
"Sir Laknir, you'd do well carryin' some water. I dinnae know how this hot weather affects your kin, but I'd rather not have you crashin' to the ground. Too dangerous 'round these parts."
The dwarf moves back with the rest.
"Ye were talkin' about a proposition if I understood, Mister Mufar. I'm curious, is a bussines one? "
The streets of Eto were quickly cooling now that the sun had set. Few people noticed Braena as she passed through the thinning crowds, just as she liked it. Following the directions from the note, she turned another corner and spotted the residence. She took a deep breath before reaching for the door. It's strange, this man seeking me out for my skills. I only just arrived in Eto in the past couple weeks, how could he know of me? Did we cross paths previously? Did I wrong him somehow? I pray this is not a trap... While one hand reached for the door, the other encircled the haft of a small mace tucked into her belt.
Stepping quietly into the home, she made her way through the well appointed, if cluttered, residence. He clearly was a collector and explorer of sorts, with artefacts and maps everywhere. She crossed one room then another, seeking out the sound of conversation. Stepping into the dining room, she pulled back her hood, allowing her hair to fall loose, and surveyed those assembled.
"A pleasant eve, all. Master Mujar, I trust that I have arrived at the corresponding time? Have you explained any details to the gambit before us?"
Sitting down at the table, she pours herself a glass of wine, then starts eating some chicken that had been laid on the spread.
A large Half-Orc dressed in the robes typical to this area enters the room. A thick scar runs along his jawline. His gait is interrupted by a very obvious limp. His eyes look as though he's been through a very rough couple of nights.
As he observes the room he immediately gives a glance of interest towards the kobold, passes over the woman, and then gives a nod of acknowledgement to Korim before offering to shake hands with Gej like they were old friends.
"Sir Laknir, you'd do well carryin' some water. I dinnae know how this hot weather affects your kin, but I'd rather not have you crashin' to the ground. Too dangerous 'round these parts."** spoiler omitted **
The dwarf moves back with the rest.
Yes that would be a good idea. I knew there was something I wanted to pick up in the last town. He chuckles a bit. He adds with a bit of a smile:
The half-orc gaze is met with one of his own as his smile vanishes, before the Kobold goes back to his food.
|
|
"All the better to understand all kind of fellas. In the bussiness of adventuring ye gotta be able to speak with errybody...
And I like the sound it makes. Dwarven sounds like dwarves, ye know. Hahahaha! "
He bursts into a refreshing laughter.
"Dinnae want ta be the first ta say it... but we are one kind of a group. What happened, humans wanted a bigger share of the loot? Hahahahaha!"
Each of you are greeted at the door by a plainly dressed youth who wordlessly guides you through the twists and turns created by the myriad artifacts and trophies that litter Gej's otherwise humble home.
Your journey ends at a desk, heaped with unfurled scrolls. The youth sighs and claps his hands twice, causing the "heap" to stir suddenly. From within, a pair of dreary eyes regard you lazily.
"Dafa, I told you not to disturb me when I'm in the middle of my important resear...." He stops suddenly, seeming to notice the group gathered in front of him for the first time. "Ah!" The scrolls seem to explode as the elderly man inside of them stands up, suddenly very much awake. "My goodness! Dafa, why did you not tell me our guests had arrived?" Dafa simply stares at Gej incredulously but is waved off before he can form a reply. No matter. Please, join me in my dining hall."
Nice to be home, sir? As I said before, our order thanks you for contacting us for assistance. On a personal note, I can say I'm glad to get the opportunity myself. I never dreamed I'd get to come to Osirion. Not quite getting the response I expected though. He says in a formal tone.
"Oh yes, very glad to be home. I have fallen behind on my reading as you can see." he states as he absent-mindedly brushes a particularly tenacious scroll of his head.
As Gej leads you away from his "reading" room, he takes the time catch up with each of you.
On a personal note, I can say I'm glad to get the opportunity myself. I never dreamed I'd get to come to Osirion. Not quite getting the response I expected though.
A grin stretches across Gej's face. "Don't tell me you've come to this land for the same reason as I." He stoops in order to properly clasp you on the shoulder. No no, Don't try to deny it. I see the fire in your eyes, the one that drives a man to become..." He wheels about to look you in the eye "...an archaeologist!" I must confess that I've never heard of a kobold archaeologist, but it would hardly be the first oddity you've presented to me." Then he stands and continues leading the way.
"Well, Mister Mufar, collor me impressed. I dinnae know ye humans were capable of buildin' such a beautiful city. I bet its even more beautiful underground, eh?"
"I do wish I could confirm that for you, but sadly there are no signs of previous civilizations here." He chuckles "You know, I once asked the merchant leaders permission to create a series of tunnels for the pursuit of knowledge and he told me right to my face that I was "crazy". Me? Crazy? Can you imagine?"
As you follow Gej, it becomes obvious from the distance you've been walking that the building is much larger than it appeared from the outside.
"Ye were talkin' about a proposition if I understood, Mister Mufar. I'm curious, is a bussines one? "
Gej tut-tuts "Business later." He insists "Now, which way was...Ah! This way. When in doubt follow your nose."
After turning a corner flanked by large sculpted scarabs you find yourselves in a spacious (and relatively uncluttered) dining hall, dominated by a long table covered by a simple white cloth. Dinner appears to have been served.
No sooner do take you take your seats when Dafa enters the room (from a different door oddly enough) ushering in two newcomers.
Braena takes note of the many curios and relics as she passes through the house. Quite a valuable collection. Hope this job can present even a small fraction of this kind of wealth... Sitting down at the table, she looks at the local fare laid before her. She starts with the basics, her wine goblet, and after a good sniff takes a nice long sip. While she does, she does a once over of the others in the room. What a bunch of misfits we are...
”Welcome my friends, please sit down.”
"A pleasant eve, all. Master Mujar, I trust that I have arrived at the corresponding time? Have you explained any details to the gambit before us?"
”Worry not my dear, we've only just begun.”
A large Half-Orc dressed in the robes typical to this area enters the room. A thick scar runs along his jawline. His gait is interrupted by a very obvious limp. His eyes look as though he's been through a very rough couple of nights.
As he observes the room he immediately gives a glance of interest towards the kobold, passes over the woman, and then gives a nod of acknowledgement to Korim before offering to shake hands with Gej like they were old friends.
In Osirion:It's been awhile, how long has it been since that caravan came under attack?
The evening continues and you enjoy a sumptuous meal with your host. A short time after everyone has finished, Gej reaches into the folds of his turban and produces a small bell, then holds it aloft as he rings it. This causes the appearance of Dafa who, after a few whispered words from Gej, disappears into a side door.
"Are any of you perhaps familiar with the Mekser Pa?"
Braena relaxes a bit after the indulgent meal. She had likely had one too many drinks, but that was still within her functional range. At Gej'z question, she replied, "ah yes, the wild, unpredictable sandstorms. What of them?"
”Well, Mekser Pa are known for being violent above and beyond typical sand storms, but they are also notable for what they leave behind.” Dafa arrives then, bearing a large scroll tube which he hands to Gej. ”For nearly a tenday, one such storm has raged across the the Parched Dunes. It is an inhospitable region and no stranger to storms, but when a Mekser Pa struck I knew that something wondrous would be revealed. I was not disappointed.” Gej unfurls the scroll dramatically, pointing to a location dotted on what appears to be a map of the Parched Dunes. ”Three days ago, through scrying devices, I scanned the wastes and found a structure, uncovered during the storm that seems date back many thousands of years.”
Braena sips her wine as she leans in further, awaiting Gej's further description, "An ancient temple or tomb, perchance untouched do to its former burial?"
I have to admit you have my interest. Certainly there could be something grand to discover down there. Suppose we'll have competition? Laknir speaks professionally. He looks outside of the window, thinking about the possibilities. There could be mummies! Or old scriptures! Or mummies that were wrapped in old scriptures!
Braena sips her wine as she leans in further, awaiting Gej's further description, "An ancient temple or tomb, perchance untouched do to its former burial?"
Yes, and it would appear to be one of the few remaining pyramids from the First Age of Osirion.
Korim's face brightens as he receive the news."A tomb filled with untouched treasures and mysteries to uncover. Ye can count on me, messir."
Gej laughs heartily. “Your enthusiasm is most invigorating, my friend.”
I have to admit you have my interest. Certainly there could be something grand to discover down there. Suppose we'll have competition? Laknir speaks professionally. He looks outside of the window, thinking about the possibilities. There could be mummies! Or old scriptures! Or mummies that were wrapped in old scriptures!
Gej tugs at his beard thoughtfully. ”I don't think many people know about the pyramid yet, though that will certainly change in short order. I believe it best if you set out as soon as you are ready.”
Old means valuables. Valuables mean danger. Have you any idea of the perils we can potentially be facing? Ashmed asks in his calm, deep voice.
|
|
"Dangers? Have YE any idea of the profit we can potentially be makin'? And the fame. And let's not forget 'bout the fun hahahahaha!"
With that healthy laugh, Korim spins to face the half orc
"C'mon, master Ashmed. Ruin delvin' ain't easy, but it's sure the best way to not bore yerself hahahahah!"
The dwarf stands up and climbs to the chair, opening his arms as far as he can.
"Gentlemen, what we waitin' fer? There's adventure waitin' fer ye!"
Four days have passed since you began. Your journey through the Parched Dunes was difficult under the harsh rays of an unforgiving sun and stinging windswept sand. Thankfully all of your camels survived and most of the travel was uneventful. Now finally through the sandy haze you gaze upon the object of your quest.
An incredible man-made mountain, the pyramid rises out of the desert sands, a relic of an earlier age. Its limestone casing blocks are weathered from millennia of scouring sands, but the structure seems solid and intact. A stone wall, buttressed by drifts of sand, surrounds the entire structure. To the east stands a squat stone building,connected to the pyramid by a long, covered causeway. No visible entrances to the pyramid’s interior can be seen.
How old do you think this is? One hundred years? One thousand? More? I don't think we'll need to make an entrance. It's likely hidden away, as the pyramid itself was.
[B]I think there may be some sort of puzzle, the ancient Orisians were very fond of puzzles and riddles. But worst comes to worst we may be able to Smash our wat through.
Braena looks at the half-orc, "Use of force is more likely to set off many of the ancients traps that undoubtedly are hidden within. Let's head to the small building, and start our investigation there."
Heading toward the building, she works to circle around it from a distance, looking to spot any entrance or clues.
No sense not scoping it out first.
A rectangular building constructed of large stone blocks sits on the desert sands to the east of the pyramid. A wide portico opens to the east, its ceiling supported by two rows of red granite columns. A dark passage leads deeper into the temple to the west.
All of you notice that the portico walls have been carved in relief, but whatever they depicted has been lost to millenia of scouring sands.
|
|
Korim moves right in front and to the right of Braena, so he can be the first to spot traps and obstacles. Here where there's no sun I feel at home. I missed ye, Lady Shadow hehehe
The dwarf signals the rest to slow down.
"Ye better take care where ye step. I dinnae haf to say that ruins, specially ominous ones, are always riddled with traps fer thiefs. Luckily we are treasure rescuers and no thiefs hahahaha!"
After saying this he gazes upon the dark passage, trying to see what waits ahead.
As you peer into the gloomy chamber, you see that a pair of carved and brightly painted granite columns support the ceiling of this darkened, roughly triangular chamber. Two stone statues depicting winged creatures with leonine bodies and falcons’ heads sit beyond. The smooth granite walls are decorated with hieroglyphs and faded murals that depict loyal subjects and slaves presenting offerings to a pharaoh who sits on a gilded throne, flanked by winged, falcon-headed lions. A passageway to the west stretches off into darkness.
Laknir keeps himself placed just behind Korim, trying to see a bit further ahead as well.
Of course it will be trapped. I'd be disappointed if it wasn't! Have to earn the best things in life, no? He draws his actually rather unimpressive rapier, and awaits the group to continue.
Osirion did enjoy their carvings. Each and everyone of these tells a story...
"They are beautiful, indeed." Korim crouches and looks at the floor ahead and the walls. "And mostly sure they are trapped, as ye said. I'll check it, I dinnae want to end our journey too soon." Korim walks slowly while checking for traps.
[Dice= Perception] 1d20+9
As you explore the room more thoroughly, you discover that stone statues of a regal man holding a crook and flail and wearing a striped cloth headdress stand on either side of the chamber, though the head of one of the two statues now lies cracked and broken on the alabaster floor.
You also notice a set of four tiles, just before the hallway, are raised ever-so-slightly from the floor.
|
|
"Stop yer steps, friends!" He points to the tiles that make the pressure plate "Those are dangerously suspicious, I bet ye all ten shinies that is a trap. Sadly, my hands aren't as good as my eyes. Unless any of ye want to give it a try, we'll have to activate the trap from afar... but those statues seem as suspicious as the tiles."
"Indeed, the statues are likely to come to life and tear us limb from limb. Shall we poke them a bit?" Braena steps around Korim and over to the statue on the left. Standing before it, she takes the time to search it for traps and hidden compartments.
Laknir tries to assist Braena in inspecting the statue.
You have anything you won't miss losing, Korim?
The statues appear perfectly mundane, apart from being very finely crafted.
|
|
"I dinnae know if this is gonna be a good idea... but it's an idea Hahahahah! But Laknir, I do like my things... that said, I have some torches I carry for no reason whatsoever"
Korim grabs 3 torches with his right hand while holding his axe in the left.
"Maybe you could check the trapped floor first, Braena, I dinnae want to activate it with a stray torch."
Braena does a second scan of the statue, hoping there might be something there.
Braena looks to the dwarf and smiles, "Oh, you hop out in the lead hoping for treasures, but the first sign of trouble, and you ask the lady to risk her life. Quite the gentleman you are." Chuckling, she moves up toward the space Korim indicated and investigates.
You have little difficulty discerning the inner workings of the pressure plate, and after a bit of tweaking, you're confident that it won't pose a threat to you or the rest of the party.
If any malign spirits do in fact inhabit these statues, they dont seem terribly bothered by your provocation.