"Will the Hadj try to see what's inside this impressive monument?"
The garden seems to be close, we'll try that
"If my muscles lock when I touch this great artifact, please bump me away quickly!"
hoping the resistance Calla provided is enough -- or that Hemket's bow has just absorbed the deadly jolting power away for a bit -- Hadjii will brace himself for a shock and use his gloves that combine Gloves of Reconnaissance and Continuous Unseen Servant to look through the north face of the obelisk...
"Aren't you supposed to say 'hold my ale' before you do that?"
The Obelisk is a solid piece of strange conducting material. There is no inside and as much as Calla would like there to be something sneaky and hidden there is nothing but what appears on the surface. Nothing happends when Hadjii touches it as the latent energy is now stored in Hemket's bow.
It took 2 days to reach it so by now the Maftets have reached the Walled Oasis. Off to the Garden then?
"So weird... Anyway, why don't we hop back to the Oasis to gather our information and then after we move to this garden? I've been wanting to try something for a long time, and I think it will finally work out..."
"Using my mythic power I can all five of us!"
"Ok, that sounds good. Gotta beat walking on the damn shifting sands. "
You arrive on target..
You all feel a bit squeamish from your first teleporting adventure but you are now standing next to the pool of water in the Walled Oasis. A small contengent of Maftets are around and they go on the defensive until they notice who you are.. Erayu approaches..
"You have indeed proven your worth. It takes strength and purpose to survive the Parched Dunes, and I see now that you have both. I thank you, and I will help you in your quest. Thank you for securing our holy site.”
Erayu ruffles his wings and leans forward to tell his story.
“We lived for many generations in the shadow of the Sightless Sphinx, guarding and preserving it, though never entering it, ancient evil lingered within its crumbling walls. But several of our younger kin, led by a rash youth named Userib, decided to explore the Sphinx. Of the dozen who ventured within, only one returned, her face white with fear. She told us that Userib had awakened the evil within the Sphinx and that it had corrupted him and the others. Her words held truth, for before we could initiate a rescue, Userib and his followers attacked. Many of my tribe fell under their assault, leaving us no choice but to abandon the Sphinx.”
A solemn look spreads over Erayu’s face.
“I could say that in our weakened condition, and with the children to consider, we could not expect to win the day in an attack on the Sphinx. This would be true. But it is also true that our own kin still reside within the Sphinx. Can they be saved and returned to the pride? I do not know. I cannot imagine facing those we have raised from birth and making the decision to end their lives. You are strong and I believe you are worthy souls. We shall direct you to the Sightless Sphinx. May Sekhmet grant you power in battle, and Thoth give you the wisdom to do what is necessary.” Whenever you are ready Erayu will be sendning his son to show you the way to the Sphinx.
The party checks the body for loot and other information!
Calla gets all happy to have test subjects, and hopes everything works out. "Ok then, gather around me and touch each other" - she immediately recognizes the danger in this statement "just the hands, Hadjii. Touch hands on hands only..." The mean look is directed at the gigolo, of course. "Keep your weapons close, you know, in case we end up in a... different place..."
"Tele-mythic-port!"
"We will do what we can to help them, Erayu. If they will not return to the light, at least the evil within will be... eliminated!"
"Do you wanna check the garden first? I could use a test run on a few spells I'm developing..."
"Depends on if what is at the Sphinx will keep or not. Never really sure if we're on a schedule or not. "[/]b and he will ask the Maftet [b]"Do you know of the faction at the Sphinx having any imminent plans?"
"I would rather them dead than influenced by dark powers.. If they cannot be turned back to the light then death it must be. I am not aware of any immediate plans that they might have."
Logos spends his time looking at a pretty beetle with rainbow colored carapace, letting others pay attention.
Calla's desire for gardens, gold and to platinum the Parched Dunes prevents her from finding any immediateness in the situation.
Between the lot of you you can recall there was no mention of Damned Maftets being with the cultists your after. Its quite possible there was/is confrontation when the cultists went to the Sphinx..
"Oh, by the way, can you tell us about the place you were at before? What is that place, just so I can add it to my map?"
"Pretty bug..." Logos picks up the beetle, names him George, and pets the top of his carapace.
"Well let's go kill some maftes then."
"I imagine the garden will keep. The cultists may not. "
Erayu frowns at Marius insensitive comment, but says nothing.. He doesn't answer Calla's question and instead makes a motion for his son to come forward.. A stout looking Maftet, Jaru carries a bow and a pair of scimitars. He motions for you to follow. He heads off to the northwest. The 2nd day into the travels you come upon:
Campfire smoke curls up from this rocky dell, which contains several small, dun-colored tents. A handful of camels and mules stand nearby in a makeshift pen of wooden stakes and hemp ropes. A small pool of water ripples between the tents and livestock pen.
It appears to be a nomad camp.
Looking at the Maftet he asks "This isn't our destination right?"
assuming assent
"Want me to go check it out?"
Right after they leave the walled Oasis Calla realizes something is wrong. She moves her arms around for a bit, getting some ingredients at her belt, and something weird happens.
Her spell, telephatic bond, forms a link between her, Hemket, Hadjii, Marius and Logos, so they could have a conversation in private instead of talking in front of the Maftet. That's also the reason she avoids using the the verbal component of the spell, so it would be a covert casting. "Don't panic guys, it's just me. New trick! I'm so awesome, right? Listen, there is something weird with these guys. Their leader is trying to play with us, I think. I mean, he didn't tell us what that previous place was, and so far we have just been used by him. I've seen the sphinx before when I scryed on the b%&%$, so I know what it looks like outside. Keep your eyes open, just in case. Any other thoughts? Marius, if you can, guys, use some magic to discern if he's telling the truth or not, in case we get somewhere else."
"Just give me a second, Hemket." She casts her battle spells, Mage Armor, Defending Bone and False Life. "So, Jaru, where are we? I don't see the sphinx, is this the place?"
"Im not sure.. Looks like a nomad camp, or bandits.. There are los of those in the desert. We should be cautious."
"Is the Sphinx there or we just have to cross the place to arrive there? Can we go around?" Of course, the ones who know her would know that she will not lose the opportunity to test some spells and gather some money, doing some good for the society in the process.
before the group starts out each day, Hadjii gets up early and wildshapes into wolf form -- to limit opportunity for others to see him wearing the Mask of the Forgotten Pharoah. Then he prepares spells; the Hadj will prepare and cast Shield Companion, to give Sheeba a modicum of protection for 10 hours. He'll then use a Pearl of Power to recover the spell.
About an hour into each day, when it starts to get too hot, Hadjii will cast his prepared Carry Companion on Sheeba, putting her figurine into his polymorphic pouch. Then he switches from wolf form to air elemental for 8 hours, and takes to the air. He flies just within range of a Message cantrip (no more than 190' up from Calla -- assuming the ArchMage casts Message every hour-and-a-half or so), as he provides top cover most of the day.
When Calla casts Telepathic Bond, Hadjii seems to really enjoy it -- he tests a variety of thoughts throughout its duration...
When Calla casts Mage Armor and Defending Bone, air elemental Hadjii will use a Mythic Point to cast Bear's Endurance on himself (with 12 minutes duration).
Logos casts 'See Invisibility' and 'Bulls Strength' when everyone gears up with spells.
Hemket will get his material component for casting 'open can of whupass' ready, which is a bow.
As the group buffs up and readies for another beating the tents still havent noticed your presence..
"We can probably skirt it, but the majority of nomads are friendly. Perhaps we should seek shelter and warm meal for the night and see how it goes.. You guys and gals seem strong enough if something should go wrong."
"Yeah, a camp with friendlies is probably more comfortable anyway, and if they do something wrong Calla will gleefully cook them. "
"I favor doing some scouting first." She nods to Hemket, so he would be free to do what he wanted. She, on the other hand, casts Arcane Eye to scout it properly. "Want some invisibility Hemk?"
"I never object to being invisible. "
"Greater Invisibility!"
He will then sneak on down and check them out.
Getting closer you see 8 tents and a crue horse stable.. There is also a small pool a water that looks drinkable.. There are 6 human guards posted and various points circling the camp.. They dont notice you..
So make it Extended regular invisibility instead. 24 minutes.
The Moon Bow
CL 15th
Worth?
This spectacular work of art is actually a very powerful weapon. It is a +3 Mithirl Comp Longbow that auto adjusts to the weilders strength bonus and creates its own arrows. The bow is not strung and when a pulling motion is applied the string forms and looks like a golden string of light. The arrows the bow creates will bypass any material alignment DR. It also has the following abilities:
3/day Penetrating Strike - As a free action your next attack will bypass any DR or Hardness.
1/day Aspect of the Wolf
Marius readies himself in case the nomads are hostile by simply pulling out his scepter.
Logos holds a chakram in each hand, waiting for Hemket's inevitable death at the hands of the cannibalistic desert people.
Hemket, assuming he has time on the invisibility will peek into each tent to make sure it all looks normal, and then head back to the group.
You able to count a total of 25 normal looking guard types and 1 leader type that appears to possibly be some sort of caster by her outfit. Most of the men are asleep, but there are a half dozen or so playing cards in one of the tents. The leader is alone reading a book in her tent.
He heads back into the group and waits closely behind Hadjii for the invisibility to wear off at which point he loudy says "Boo!"
Then to everyone "Just looks like a normal caravan. Didn't see anything suspicious. Might as well go on down and say 'hi'"
"Any tattoos? Insignias? By what you judge, are they gonna be a problem?" She trusted Hemket with that decision, after all.
"If you want to approach holding your fire, let's go"
Logos apparently watches nothing at all for nearly a minute, then watches a spot behind Hadjii which suddenly turns into Hemket. Logos grins when Hemket boos Hadjii. "Well, those were two spells wasted, oh well. Want me to go first? If they turn hostile, I can run faster than everyone else."
"Sure, sounds like a plan. Wait, what?" and then he follows against his better judgement.