Akri stretches and cracks his knuckles.
"It seems like we've gotten to the Pharaoh's last line of defense with that archer. We also missed one of the main chambers when we first entered the pyramid, just north of the entryway. Now that we're rested and ready, I propose we head back and explore the room at the front of the complex. At the least it will keep our exit clear, and it might provide us with valuable material to combat the Pharaoh."
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Akri scouts out the room north of the entrance hall, passing the pit in which the animated pyramid still whirs its rollers, and the pink, carved palm trees that form a ring around the bleeding corpse of the mimic.
In the northern chamber, a tall black statue with a sleek dog head stands in the middle of the central chamber, while two other statues stand to the east and west in short branching wings. A large, circular, ostentatious carving stands against the north wall, ten feet across and covered in more depictions of the old pharaoh.
Akri admires the statue from a safe (we'll say 10') distance.
"Nothing but cold water in my veins says this is just waiting to strike," says Akri, gripping Skullcrusher in his left hand.
"Eisalka, you are fast and fearless, do you think you can fly around this dog-faced boy quickly enough to animate it? or prove it's just a statue? We're here, of course, should the dog try and bite."
"Sigh. Always trying to put us poor winged creatures in danger, aren't you? I suppose."
Eisalka directs Man to cast mage armor on her (which lasts 7 hours thanks to Spell Sponge and Familiar Focus) and flies in a quick arc around the statue.
In the room north of the pink-tree-lined hypostyle, a tall black granite statue of a pharaoh stands on a polished alabaster floor in the center of this chamber beneath a vaulted limestone ceiling decorated with gilt stars. The statue of the pharaoh is very familiar to the explorers by now: Sekh-pa-Mefer III. On the north wall stands a panel of granite, carved to resemble a door. A flat granite slab lies on the floor in front of the false door. The false door is inscribed with Ancient Osiriani hieroglyphics listing the pharaoh's names and titles as well as instructions and prayers for the offerings made to him.
As Eisalka flies around the statue of Sekh-pa-Mefer III, it retains its stony stillness. This statue doesn't seem interested in attacking, at least. Eisalka also spots two statues - one each to the east and west wings of this finely decorated hall.
Man whispers to Eisalka on his shoulder for a moment. Her avian head nods up and down, a strange sight to the others. "That slab over there has a spell inscribed on it, would be useful to remove any nasty curses that we might run into. Can't really be moved though. And there's a panel there. Sionnach, can you check it for dangers, please?"
Khairam finds no traps, despite several minutes of careful searching. His affinity for these things suggests that this chamber is safe - probably. His thorough searching also reveals a hidden panel in the Ra statue's base with an ancient scroll. More relevant to your exploration, though, he discovers that the false door is actually functional! It has a secret switch and a seam that seems to indicate that there is something on the other side.
Before the explorers can investigate the secret not-false door, though, they can hear a number of voices to the south. They spot a magical light illuminating a party of four in the hypostyle: a dour looking elf woman with light desert clothing and white hair; a tall Kelesh woman with a tan monk's robe and a black headscarf, a pair of nunchaku hanging from her belt; a Taldan man with an impeccable bouffant, a shiny brass breastplate, and svelte crossbow; and a ratfolk with a bow.
The Taldan man’s voice is nasally, precise, and arrogant as he argues with the Kelesh woman: “Arayeh, I specifically indicated that my healing was for sale! You can’t expect me to start a business built on charity, really.” The Kelesh woman responds, her voice deep with a touch of raspiness, her arms crossed: “Yes, Mirces, but you can’t be so stingy as to sell it to us for every cut and bruise, while we’re on a job! You’ll get your cut, so long as you do what we hired you for!” The elf catches sight of the initial group of explorers, and wordlessly taps the Kelesh woman on the shoulder. She points, her bare arm strangely pale, and shimmering with a magical force that catches the bobbing light hanging above her. The Kelesh woman holds up a hand to interrupt her conversation with the well-coifed Taldan man, and advances with her allies behind her.
“Well, what do we have here. . .” she muses, casting an appraising eye over the group. Despite her lack of armor, a magical sheen seems to cover her as well, and her eyes glow with a supernaturally purple undertone. After a brief silence, she says, “Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Arayeh Nasim, this,” (here gesturing to the elf woman) “is Jathal, and this -” The Taldan man clears his throats and interrupts, “I can speak for myself! I am Zened Mirces. A pleasure, I’m sure.” Arayeh shoots him a dirty look before pointing at the ratfolk and simply saying, “And this is Jib.”
Arayeh pauses, and in the light of the two parties, there is an obvious glint of metal on two of the newcomers’ outfits: a bronze badge on Jathal’s belt, and a silver one on Arayeh’s. “We’ve come to investigate this pyramid, likely the same as you all. We’ve also secured exclusive rights to all material findings, on authority of the Aspis Consortium. So, if you wouldn’t mind . . .”
Zened raises his crossbow and points it at the group of explorers, and Jathal bares her teeth in a snarl. Arayeh remains fairly calm, if imperious. “Hand over whatever you’ve pillaged so far, and we won’t have to take it from you. Jib,” she says, shooting a look over her shoulder at the ratfolk, “it’s time to prove that you have what it takes to join the Aspis. Got it?”
under his breath, Akri whispers to his allies, "Aspis scumbags, stay low."
Eisalka points with her wing for Man to move away from the doorframe, and readies to cast a spell on whoever comes through the door.
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"Madame Arayeh," Sionnach says, offering an exuberant bow, "I am Sionnach, cleric of Urgathoa. It seems to me you have an issue with an unwilling healer worshipping a lesser god." With this statement, Sionnach flashes his best smile at Zened. "Perhaps it would be wiser to leave him behind and simply partner yourselves with my group. We're more archaeological researchers than treasure hunters, you see, so we'd have no issue with your taking treasure so long as we're allowed to inspect it and learn what we can first."
And with that, he extends his hand conveniently so that accepting it will lead Arayeh right past the doorway in which Eisalka is hiding. "What d'ya say?"
"By the way," he adds, "I don't charge for my healing" and he casts a meaningful glance at Zened.
Arayeh raises a skeptical eyebrow at Sionnach, underneath which are eyes that see straight through his attempt to deceive. Zened wears a smug grin even as Sionnach mocks him, and Jathal quietly seethes. After a beat, Arayeh states flatly, "So that's how it is. I see. Kill them."
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Initiative!
Akri
Jib
Man
Eisalka
Sionnach
---
Initiative:
Jib looks shocked, drops his bow, and throws his hands up.
"Whoawhoawhoawhoawhoa. Kill them? That isn't what we're doing! We are here to make some coin, not TAKE LIVES!"
His voice is fast, and high-pitched, and he has a look of genuine confusion on his face.
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"How dare you defile my true love's resting place!" Sionnach says as he steps into melee ranged with (whichever one the ninja-looking guy is). "Though we are looking at getting a summer home in Geb," he adds as an afterthought.
Then, to the ratfolk, he says, "If you've no taste for blood just stay clear. We've no quarrel with you." And then, as an afterthought, "Well, unless you worship Pharasma."
And then, to (ninja guy) after his sickle hits its mark he adds, "And I'm not healing that. You had your chance!"
Eisalka and Man step into view, giving the enemies the confusing image of a bird commanding his human "pet" to help her cast a spell. "Let's burn them!"
Eisalka's wings move in complicated gestures and she speaks arcane words, while Man's hands move imperceptively and his lips move ever so slightly.
Eisalka then stares at the ninja-looking guy.
Akri draws both Ghoulsplitter and Skullcrusher as he moves towards the Aspis agents. His eyes flicker with rage as he closes on Arayeh (is she the ninja-type? that's where I'm headed, 20' move to flank w/ Jib)
" 'Kill them.' Good advice, Thief- don't mind if I do."
Akri howls as he drops his dwarven waraxe on his enemy. Panting from the effort, he fixes his eyes on Jib and points his mace at the ratfolk.
"Rat-man, if you want to live, defend yourself! We Pahmet kill tomb raiders on sight, especially these vile Aspis grave-robbers! They sent you to your death, repay them the favor!"
Arayeh flinches under the concentrated assault, with the only saving grace being that she manages to pat out the fire starting on her robes before it can spread. In response, she delivers a series of swift kicks in Akri's direction. Keeping her attention focused on the combat, she commands without turning, "Jathal, the bird!"
Jathal's white hair bristles, her lips curling into a sneer. She utters a series of arcane syllables, and a vision of her face, frozen, snarling, sharp toothed, appears in Eisalka's mind. It sends a chill down the Raven's spine, despite the warmth of the desert tomb. After the magical aura fades from her, Jathal turns to Jib, her voice a raspy growl. "Don't go soft on us, vermin! Their coin is ours for the taking!"
Zened looks a bit worried as Arayeh is bloodied, and shoots a nervous look at the battle cry howling dwarf. He lowers his crossbow slightly, and raises a golden key--a holy symbol of Abadar--in his free hand that's attached to a silver necklace. "Well, they did give you a chance," he says, then concentrates. The key glows slightly, then golden waves of energy pulse out of it. They wrap around Arayeh, Jib, and Jathal, but pass through the explorers, wracking them with pain.
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Initiative!
Akri (10 damage, save or be stunned, save or 5 more damage)
Jib
Man (4 damage, save or 5 more damage)
Eisalka (Shaken 1 round, save or be frightened for 3 rounds, 4 damage, save or 5 more damage)
Sionnach (4 damage, save or 5 more damage)
Jib, still a bit unsure of what to do, hesitates for a moment. He face contorts with several emotions, and eventually it settles upon one.
Determination.
Determination to not be kicked around any more. Determination to do what's right. Determination to follow his chosen course, and determination to end these rotten people for good.
He sets his jaw, adopts a defensive stance, and picks up his bow. He draws an arrow, and lines up a shot. At Arayeh.
Arayeh's swift assault knocks Akri off-balance, surprising the dwarf with her forceful kicks.
Man will cast a magic missile at the badguy that scared Eisalka, as she flies away.
Arayeh, bloodied from the explorers' assault, turns to the cleric beside her. "Quickly! While the dwarf beserker is stunned! Heal my wounds!" Zened raises an eyebrow, and she rolls her eyes in exasperation. "You'll get your money, but let's focus on not dying first, alright?" She then turns her attention to Sionnach, unleashes another series of kicks. Her boots connect with the kitsune, but his armor protects him from any serious damage.
Jathal snarls at Jib, frosty breath curling from her flared nostrils. "Traitor." After her simple declaration, she points a hand in the ratfolk's face, and two bolts of force hit him at point blank.
Zened grumbles a bit, but holds up his key symbol again. This time, a golden light surrounds his hand--less like a warm hearth's glow, and more like the glint of a coin--and lays it on Arayeh's shoulder, closing her wounds.
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Initiative!
Akri (10 damage)
Jib (7 damage)
Man (9 damage)
Eisalka (4 damage, 2/3 rounds frightened)
Sionnach (9 damage)
Man will cast an aggressive thundercloud spell above the enemies. It starts over the cleric.
Jib crys out in pain, and levels his bow, more certain that ever of his chosen course. He sights, and releases, the smooth motion evidence of his skill.
Akri deftly picks up Ghoulsplitter, spins and drives it towards Arayeh with both hands.
"Nice shot, Jib! Good to know who's the true vermin here, eh?" Akri shouts as he swings his dwarven waraxe at the Aspis agent, smiling, obviously proud of his dwarven humor under duress.
Arayeh delivers a swift kick to Akri as he picks up his axe , then easily parries his attack with a sweeping arm block.
She then grunts in pain, though, as Jib's arrow pierces her guts. She whips around to glare at him, and growls, ”So you do have a spine. Too bad you're going to die here.” She pulls out her nunchaku, then launches a kick at Jib's vitals, which misses as she cringes from the pain of the arrow.
Jathal continues her attack on Jib as well, launching two more missiles of force at him.
Zened attempts to duck under the cloud that forms around him, but he stumbles from one electric shock to the other. He scowls in pain and steps to the left of the entrance, trying to smooth back his now frizzy hair.
”You'll pay for that!” he growls, looking a bit singed. He holds up his key again, and next to Man appears a shimmering, golden crossbow made of force. It fires a bolt of pure force at the mage, piercing his magical armor.
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Initiative!
Akri (13 damage)
Jib (14 damage)
Man (17 damage)
Eisalka (4 damage, 3/3 rounds frightened)
Sionnach
Jib is hurting badly, and winces at his likely cracked ribs. He backs up a few steps, and pulls out a little vial of liquid, drinking it down in a single gulp. His wounds don't heal, but he looks visibly relieved nevertheless.
Akri brings his Pahmet heritage down on Arayeh.
Eisalka keeps flying away, still frightened.
Arayeh growls as Sionnach's sickle bites into her side. She loses focus for just a moment, but it's enough for Akri's axe to come down and embed in her chest. A dark red wound forms at the center of her tan robes, and her eyes dim as she slumps to the floor bleeding.
Jathal smirks at Jib, showing a set of slightly sharpened teeth. "What was that? Magic? Pathetic. I'm going to enjoy this." With that, she casually calls forth another pair of force missiles, which speed toward Jib and then disappear into his magical shield with the sound of droplets entering water. Her grin quickly turns to a furious scowl as she snorts in frustration. "So you've learned a trick or two! I'll still kill you!" This said, she reaches into a pocket and pulls out a crumpled piece of paper. At the same time, her fingers lengthen and the nails thicken, forming curved claws with thick white talons.
Zened continues to try to flee the thundercloud chasing him, but he can't duck the bolts of lightning that emerge to strike him. He almost makes it, but when Akri swings his mace, the cleric dodges left into a thick section of lightning. After a number of zaps, he too collapses and clatters to floor.
His weapon of force disappears as he falls, fading before it can shoot at Man again.
==========
Initiative!
Akri (13 damage)
Jib (14 damage)
Man (17 damage)
Eisalka (4 damage)
Sionnach
Eisalka stops flapping wildly in the corner of the room and flies back to Man. "That's it, I'm done with these idiots." she says calmly, trying to ignore her outburst of panic just moments before. She moves her wings and says some arcane words once more, and Man steps forward as two missiles of force shoot from Eisalka's beak and streak toward Jathal.
Jib snarls at Jathal's insults, and raises his bow again, another arrow notched in it.
"I'm sorry I ever signed up with you monsters!"
He takes aim at Jathal again, and let's another arrow fly.
The Pahmet moves quickly across the floor and swings his waraxe at Jathal.
"GRAAAGDH!"
Jathal's sharp-toothed sneer turns to surprise as Akri charges her. His axe cuts through the finely shaped force armor surrounding her, catching the elf in the neck. Her eyes roll back and she falls to the ground bleeding out.
With the Aspis defeated, Khairam emerges from the corner of the room he was hiding behind. He runs toward Arayeh and calls out, "Wait!" Kneeling at the woman's side, he tears a strip of cloth off part of his dusty clothing and makes a quick bandage for Arayeh's worst wound. "Please, I... I'm sorry for not helping but... this woman is my sister. I couldn't fight her, although I did not know if the same could be said for her."
Khairam looks up at the bloodied but victorious explorers, his dirty face pleading. "Take their valuables if you'd like, but please spare their lives. We can take them back to the authorities in Sothis, but please let them live. I'll keep an eye on them so you can focus on what you came here for." This said, he places a fraternal hand on his sister's forehead, muttering, "Oh, Arayeh..."
Among the Aspis, you find a variety of valuable gear. Helpfully, their potions are labeled.
Jathal: potion of cure light wounds, potion of fly, scrolls of bull's strength (2), scroll of fog cloud, longbow with 20 arrows, masterwork longsword, 10 gp
Zened: potion of invisibility, scroll of comprehend languages, scroll of cure moderate wounds, scroll of darkness, scroll of find traps, alchemist's fire (2), everburning torch, smokesticks (2), masterwork breastplate, light crossbow with 20 bolts, dagger, silver unholy symbol, wand of cure light wounds (23 charges), 277 gold
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Jib awkwardly shuffles his feet.
"Um...I'm Jib. I was hired to work for them, but I'm not...with them. Thanks for not, you know, killing me!"
He blushes as much as his little rat face can blush.
"You didn't seem to be needing killing. Let's get all those items into a sack and keep going... I see a healing wand there, if anyone needs some, I'm sure one of the more divine among us can use it. Speaking of, Man and I could each use a bit of that."
Eisalka is down 4 HP and Man is down 9.