Eisalka flies overhead, taking another look into the northern boat. She still catches the same shiny reflections. They're...iridescent, perhaps? It's hard to tell exactly what's in there without potentially disturbing whatever is making those buzzing sounds.
"All I can tell is that there's something shiny in there. We will need to investigate more thoroughly, and I am not the one to do it."
Akri frowns at the bag found in the first boat.
"It's as if this silt wished to be sand. Some sort of magic, I'd guess."
Keeping his eyes forward, he half-mentions to the others, "If ye can see magic, go ahead, otherwise we need to move on. It'll blind something at worst."
Approaching the second boat, Akri cannot help himself.
"Shiny and buzzing, eh? I'll bet a gil one attracts the other. I'll go in- Sionnach, Khairam, cover me. Eisalka, please ask Man to look after us all, and himself too. Oh, and Eisalka- if we draw away the buzzing and it's not too deadly, check on that shiny, and eat all the flies you like."
Akri pauses before jumping into the boat.
"Y'know, Ive been talked out of worse proposals, so have your say here-" Akri pauses, "does anyone have splash weapons or spells that can combat swarms? I do have oil and a fire-starter..."
Khairam stands back, taking out a couple of flasks from his bag, heeding Sionnach's warning. "Get out quick from the buzzing if you have to Akri, don't want to damage the shiny thing without us being able to look at it first!" Khairam says in a worried voice.
Akri, hand on the boat's bottom, looks towards Sionnach and Khairam.
Akri, let greed not gluttony guide you. Surely there are more treasures hidden in the tomb.
He slowly takes his hand off the boat.
"Hhem. I think my hands betrayed my head here, friends. Let us leave this trap for another day, I'm sure I can find more creative ways to spill our blood further on." Akri smiles at his pun. "We are here for more than just every shiny bauble dangled our way, right?" He says, mostly to himself.
Akri motions towards the opposite door. "Keep those bombs ready, though, and let's be sure to close that door when we leave."
"But... shinies?"
Akri shows some restraint, and doesn't tip over the boat to release what everyone is pretty sure would be a nasty swarm of some kind. Unless one of the other explorers wants to take that step, the exploration party presumably follows their dwarf comrade to the north. Akri reflexively reaches out to close the door, but realizes that the hallways to the north and south are doorless. The thought of that swarm must have distracted him.
Forty feet to the north, the hallway terminates in a ten-foot wide, heavy stone door with a sphinx-shaped handle. The hallways also branches off to the right (the east), down a long, low corridor lined with hieroglyphics and carvings depicting kings, gods, and sphinxes in orderly geometric rows.
Which path will the adventurers choose? North through the door, or east down the hallway? Or has one or more of them stayed behind to investigate the boat that gives Akri pause?
Khairam, looking rather disappointed that the dwarf seems to have more intelligence than he gave him credit for, shrugs his shoulders. "Well, if the shiny has been here since Pharaoh Sekh-pa-Mefer III was placed here, I'm sure it will still be here when we return." He walks to the door to the north, looking it over not trusting the sphinx handle. His eyes follow the lines of the door, as he warily looks at the heavy stone. "Akri, here's a door to be proud of." he smiles at the dwarf. "Fancy we should find out what lurks beyond?"
"Sigh. I suppose you're right, no sense fighting something we're ill-prepared for, if that's what it is. Perhaps when we're leaving we can tip over the boat, grab whatever it is, and fly... I mean run... like hell."
Eisalka lands on Man's shoulder and they follow the others.
Akri grins.
"Shinies on the way out then, eh? It'll give us something to look forward to."
Akri follows Khairam towards the sphinx-handled door.
"Why don't you check for locks and traps, mate. I'm willing to bet this easterly corridor, resplendent with hieroglyphs might eventually lead back to the main chamber where we destroyed that foul mimic."
The dwarf studies the door, and stands at the eastern spur, looking down the corridor for anything interesting.
Khairam smiles and nods his head to Akri, "If there is a trap, or even a second, I am sure I can sense it, or else set it off." His self confidence heard in his voice turns to laughter as he watches his companion look around. For once the normally grumpy investigator looks relaxed and comfortable with his companions. "I'm sure once we have looked in this chamber, we can find the secrets of the corridor and give me time to look at the hieroglyphics... I am sure they real most interesting facets of the history of Sekh-pa-Mefer III and his family and subjects. If all is well, then Akri if you wouldn't mind opening the door."
"Shionnach, I have learned to turn away no help in my travels. Though the Pallid Princess is unsettling, she is no less real to me than Pharasma, or unicorns."
Akri notes the relaxed state of the investigator.
"So, Khairam, if we keep you on your toes all's well then, eh? I'm the same way, downtime is a fretful thing. If there are no objections, I'd be happy to lead us in."
Akri readies his Dwarven war axe, Ghoulsplitter, in one hand, prepared to open the door.
Akri and Khairam take a good look around, but the stone around them seems quite free of traps. Akri presses an ear up against the door, and can hear a muffled occasional scraping sound, as well as a faint dripping and crackling.
Akri grasps the sphinx-shaped door handle, and attempts to move it. The stone rolls on ancient but still quite functional channels, sliding into the wall. On the other side, you see a sparse room devoid of furnishings or decoration. It makes up for this drab interior by being filled with five animated humanoid skeletons. Four of them burn with a wicked fire, but one of them drips with blood, and wields four scimitars in its four arms. They all immediately turn to look at your party and rattle their ancient bones, getting ready to attack!
Initiative!
Akri draws Skullcrusher in his main hand, his other hand feathering over the handle of his Dwarven waraxe.
Choosing the path of lesser death, Akri moves easterly to attack the blue-tinged flaming skeleton with his masterwork light mace.
"Foul Abominations! Leave this place at once!"
Akri moves in and swings Skullcrusher at the skeleton whose flame dances with a blue tinge. True to its name, the weapon makes short work of the ancient bone, which splinters and cracks as the skeleton falls to the ground. The flames around it briefly intesify, and explode with a wave of heat as they dissipate!
The remaining skeletons waste no time in setting upon the intruding explorers! Two flaming skeletons slash at Akri and Khairam respectively, and the four armed skeleton stabs at the dwarf with one of its short swords. Only one of the skeletons manages to land a blow. The skeletons move before Khairam can react, and lays into him with a singeing bony claw!
Initiative!
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"Skeletons!" Sionnach says with a jovial tone. "And rather nicely made too! You've got to admire the craftsmanship. Oh, and bludgeon them. Sharp weapons are no good here."
Sionnach draws his Morningstar while muttering, "I'm not as good with this thing" and takes a 5 ft step forward to attack the flaming skeleton directly in front of him.
"Of course, they have to be burning skeletons, eh? Oh well..."
Eisalka's wings move around and she says a bunch of arcane-sounding words. Man mumbles and his hands move as well. Then Eisalka flies over her allies and the burning skeletons, and points with her wing. The thundercloud moves out from her wing toward one of the skeletons.
The burning skeleton with aged, yellowed bones finds itself surrounded by a tiny cloud that stays to shock it with lightning.
Lightning crackles along the unliving bones, shocking them apart and sending scorched bones flying. A burst of flame blasts out of its body, sweeping over Sionnach and Khairam.
The smile is wiped from Khairam's face as he is struck by the fiery claw of the skeleton as he watches Akri enter and beat at the undead. "Your enthusiasm for swinging that mace, may be your undoing Akri. You should watch what you're fighting first, that big thing is the skeleton of the bloody mudra, a fast and quick killer. If I remember correctly, it doesn't stay undead when it is laid to rest by your mighty blows. No it needs holy water poured over its remains, or to get the power of the holy good to wash its soul to Pharesma." He speaks quickly in his gruff voice as he steps back from the undead in front of him, picking a strangely hammer looking arrow from his quiver and aiming it straight at the fiery skeleton that just tried to take his life.
Just before the arrow leaves for it's target, Khairam is once more assaulted by a blast of flames, putting his shot off and causing further harm.
Current Hit Points out of 24 Max Hit points
Blunt Arrows 19 left out of 20.
Akri grins as the skeleton bursts into flames, transferring Skullcrusher to his other hand.
He shouts towards Khairam- "Khairam, you do the sleuthing, I'll do the smashing! Thanks for the heads up! And stay safe! Find some cover!"
Regarding the bloody, 4-armed skeleton, Akri tries to remember as much as Khairam has told him.
"Khairam you are as wise as advertised! Anyone got some holy water? Sionnach, does the Pallid Princess allow you to channel the Light of Healing? Or maybe we'll come across some- let's do our best and remember this thing might be waiting for us when we leave this place!"
That said, Akri draws Ghoulsplitter and sidesteps the skeleton and unleashes his arsenal, bellowing an ancient Pahmet war whoop.
"YAWP! YAWP! YAWP!"
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"'Wash its soul to Pharasma'" Sionnach mutters with a dark glance at the investigator. "Such blasphemy!"
Then, turning his attention back to the dwarf and the skeletons, he adds, "Sorry, my dwarven friend, but the Pallid Princess' energy is negative. I can heal the skeletons, if you'd like, but I doubt that's what you had in mind," says Sionnach, still eying the skeletons with approval.
"No, Sionnach, healing the skeletons would not be advantageous for our purposes here; though you might want to consider what a place by Pharasma's side means to your muse if we cannot solve this riddle of keeping that bloody skeleton destroyed!"
Akri whirls about, Ghoulsplitter burning with a pallid blue smoke wafting from its wicked edge. He growls words in a strange language.
"Grasht chakli, lavishtka droon! Chakli mendrahi, ga pahmet brestoov!"
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Sionnach cracks a rib on the flaming skeleton in front of him, and Khairam's arrow goes wide as the quick bones duck out of the way.
Akri shouts a might war whoop, and smashes the bloody bones in front of him to an unmoving pile.
Using the momentum from his first swing, the dwarf brings his second attack to bear on another burning skeleton. The bones explode in different directions from the force of his attack, as well as exploding with fire.
The remaining skeleton is, unfortunately, mindless, and therefore does not recognize the Pallid Princess's own. It swings two fiery claws at Sionnach!
Initiative!
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to determine if cure light wounds will actually keep the bloody skeleton from reforming
If it will, Sionnach will spend his turn 5 ft stepping away from the flaming skeleton and casting (DC 14 for half damage) on the bloody skeleton.
If it will not, he attacks the flaming skeleton.
Wow, in case it matters, let me confirm that crit!
Eisalka moves the mini storm onto the other skeleton.
Sionnach pulls his weapon back to smash the skeleton in front of him, but Eisalka's sphere of crackling lightning moves in to envelop the flaming bones. With a burst of lightning and flame, the ancient skeleton is smote as a wave of flame washes over the Kitsune.
Sionnach knows that only positive channeled energy or holy water will permanently destroy a bloody skeleton. There are other ways to deal with these bones before they reform in an hour, though...
"Akri, I see your strikes are true against these old and ancient ones." Khairam laughs. He carefully places his backpack on the ground in front of him, opening it and peering in. There is the klinking of glass, as Khairam's hands move through the contents, searching for a particular flask. "Ahhh haaa!" he says in a satisfied tone.
"Well my good friends, if you can't rely on the godly ones, then you can always rely on the crafters." he unstoppers the flask putting his finger in before tasting the fluid, licking it from his digit "Yes, as I thought, one of my holy flasks, infused with the blessing of Irori, seeker of knowledge." Walking to the pile of bones, where once the 4 armed skeleton fought Akri, he pours the holy water slowly from the flask, intoning an prayer as he does. "That should do it." he smiles at Sionnach, "That shouldn't get up again."
1 of 3 flasks of Holy Water used.
Panting lightly, Akri smiles. "I love it when a plan comes together! Khairam, well done! This abomination is put to rest."
Noting the door to the north, Akri looks once more down the easterly corridor.
"Doors keep things in, or keep things out. Corridors lead. There are some interesting glyphs this way, Khairam. Eisalka, Sionnach, what do you think? At the least this might give us a more complete map of the complex. Handy should we need to run like hell outta here."
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Sionnach stands looking at the defeated and dispatched skeletons sadly shaking his head and murmuring something that sounds like, "...and they would have been such glorious servants (sigh)" Then, realizing that the dwarf had spoken and addressed him, Sionnach looks up, seems to quickly take in what's being discussed and eyes the doors saying, "The most valuable prizes are generally kept behind closed doors," then, turning to Eisalka, he adds, "You know, shinies," and flashes his fox grin.
"So, Sionnach you want to open the door, do you know that treasure lies beyond, or is it just more death and your deadly friends." Khairam says with a rasp. "So Sionnach, which is it? Akri, wait on the corridor, Sionnach has some thoughts." he cocks his head to his side as his lip curls and he looks at Sionnach.
Akri turns to re-examine the door.
"I think, Khairam, that our dear Fox cannot choose what spirits speak through his voice- though if she can, 'tis a dark road. One that might not agree with us, yet might not smack of spite- yet."
Akri cocks his head toward Sionnach, with a wink,
"I'd guess we can all turn coal to diamonds if given the time, eh? Since we aim to solve this tomb and become gloriously famous doing so, I'd say we should put our skulls together and bend to it, eh?"
The Pahmet dwarf eyes the door closely.
"Khairam, this is more your area of expertise. Is it a trap? I believe you've already checked it, and it should be safe- hopefully it won't find you as tasty as did the sarcophagus. And should there be skeletons or worse beyond- Mr. Fox, if you have a fantastic trick to turn or control them, by all means, save us from ourselves..."
Akri straightens his spine, and grips Ghoulsplitter in his hand, a fierce grin crossing his visage. A chuckle escapes his lips.
"As it is, mates, I hate all these dead gods, be they weal or woe. And I don't really give a lick for your tastes, only so much as that which keeps me eyes open and me hands strong. Let us focus on this Dead God buried here, and glean what we can within."
Akri stands back from the stone door.
"Right! So shall I try to simply open it, or shall I try to kick it in as a proper tomb raider?"
Aside from the double doors at the end of the entrance causeway, it seems that the architect of this pyramid was a big fan of pocket doors. You haven't seen a hinge since you fled the smaller, animated pyramid.
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To the investigator, Sionnach says, with an ornery smile, "The gift of undeath is truly a fantastic treasure. Thank you for ensuring that we were reminded of that, my devout friend. As to what lies beyond yon doors, I suppose we won't know until our tomb-raiding dwarf kicks it in...or less dramatically opens it."
"Umph!" shrugs Khairam, "Well let me take look before you announce our presence with your boot Akri. After all we don't want to disappoint foxy's treasure hunt, without surprising the treasure. But if your god helps me, I'll take the help, buts that's all." the investigator says sarcastically. He wanders over to the door again, putting his hand on Akri's shoulder, "And if your sharp eyes see any mechanisms to open this, just point me in their direction, I have the tools." Khairam smiles at the dwarf.
"Ready, he goes.." Khairam tries to open the door.....
Akri grips Ghoulsplitter in one hand, his other hovering over the handle of Skullcrusher.
"Sionnach, I will accept the help of the Pallid Princess for as long as it's available."
"When the doors open, Khairam, I'm ready. I'll tell you what lies therein."
Akri turns to Man and Eisalka.
"I can see in the dark, of course. Eisalka, can you? I'm assuming this space will not be as welcoming as a banquette in a cozy tavern, and we might need some reconnaissance from the air. Everyone be ready- it may be full of cobwebs, or worse."
Akri tries to shake the idea of dwarf-eating cobwebs from his mind's eye.
To no one in particular the Pahmet mutters, "All clingy and stringy, never-ending and sticky, yuck. In your beard, your pack, stuck between your toes, always chomping, chomping... oh the horror, the horror..."
After careful examination, Khairam and Akri determine that the door in front of them is not trapped. The two of them slide this door, too, on its stone sliders into the wall.
The explorers are met with an uncharacteristic cool breeze, mingled with the scents of lotus flowers and perfume. This room, equal in size to the one that precedes it, sports hanging silks, plush cushions, and patterned rugs. The distant notes of a lively tune plucked on a lyre accompany the sounds of trickling water and birdsong. Two human women lounge on cushions inside, dressed in fine white cotton dresses, colorful geometric patterned dashes, and various sparkling jewelry on their arms, necks, and hair. Their kohl-lined eyes instantly fall on you, and their previously bored expressions light up with friendly smiles.
"How pleasant, Bastetabi, we have guests!" says one of the women. Her voice is bright and her skin is smooth and dark, her hair piled in tight braids. "Indeed, we do, Senenetka," replies the other, her voice more authoritative and her brown skin shines with oil in the light of an ornate lamp. Their accents are archaic, as both of them are speaking Ancient Osiriani. They stand and retrieve some wine and plump looking fruits from plates near the cushions, and approach the explorers. "Please, let us show you some hospitality! Eat and drink to your hearts' content!" Senenetka insists as the women proffer their refreshments.
Akri reaches out and grabs Khairam's arm.
"Inspector, make no moves towards these women, they are an illusion of life!"
"They are some type of undead, for sure! I can smell them from here!"
Khairam, Akri points out the illusion of these women - needlessly, perhaps, as there is obviously a distinct lack of birds, lyres, and streams in this room. The sensation is still pleasant, though... But can he mean something else?
"Akri is right. They are undead creatures." "Unfortunately I know nothing else about them. Sionnach, would you like to speak to them?"
Khairam looks back at Sionnach and scowls, returning his stare to the scene in front of him, heeding the words of Akri and Eisalka. Distrusting the scent and the women, carefully studies this chamber looking to see the source of this illusory scent, the women and their music. "What's this..." he speaks gruffly as his words change and fold into the lyre music and fade into non existence.
Despite Akri's warnings and Khairam's distrust, the investigator sees no reason why his fellow explorers would think that these women are undead. Bastetabi and Senenetka share a look, before shooting dirty glances at Akri and Eisalka. Senenetka stands with her fists at her hips, looking annoyed. "We are not undead! Sekh-pa-Mefer called on his greatest court wizards to extend our lives so that we might accompany him in immortality. But one of those bitter old fools wouldn't stop hounding us for affection, so he cursed us to appear disgusting."
Bastetabi nods in agreement. "Please, can't you stay and talk a while? We've been incredibly bored. You there, what are your names?" she asks pleasantly, looking especially to Khairam and Man.
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"Fair ladies," Sionnach begins in Osiriani, not at all offended by the undead . "You are truly more beautiful than the summer is long." He then gestures around at his friends. "Please forgive my less-than-eloquent friends. What they surely meant by 'undead' was that no living thing could hold such immense beauty."
He then steps forward to take and to kiss hands if they are offered while introducing himself. "I am Sionnach, humble servant of the great goddess Urgathoa. It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance, dear ladies."
Khairam, stares at the beautiful women, incredulous that such beauty can be found among the dust and death of an ancient tomb, and these two are not made mad by the passage of time. Removing his kufiya (headscarf), Khairam spits on his hand, before using it to tidy his parting and keep his fringe in place. Then he proceeds to beat and brush the front of his robe with both hands, creating a small cloud of dust around him, before bowing respectfully and extremely awkwardly to the women. He coughs to clear his throat, his voice weak and nervous, unlike any voice you have heard him speak of before, "My dear ladies, oh beauteous flowers of the desert, I am humbled in your presence."
He looks furtively around at Akri and the others, scowling at them. Turning back to the women, smiling and attentive "Let me introduce myself, my name is Khairam, a seeker of the truth of the mysteries of the this great land. To study the realities of history and bring back into the light the artifacts so long ago lost to the world. You gentle ladies, must know much that you can tell me of the times long gone, of when you first came to this pyramid, of its riddles and answers." He turns back to his friends, stares and glares at them, before shooing them away with his hands and whispering, "Away with you, I have much to discuss with these sweethearts!"
Whilst it is true he is a seeker of knowledge, he's in it for the money rather than bringing artifacts back into the light.