Gorguk does not detect evil and neither he nor Alzaar notice anything out of the ordinary.
Alzaar turns to the group and smiles.
Nothing down there but stairs and darkness, at least as far as I could see. Looks reasonably safe.
He looks once more down the passage, then turns to Kakra.
An excellent idea Kakra. I vote the same.
He then looks at the rest of the group, waiting on their opinions.
Gorguk easily lets Alzaar inspect the area and moves aside. By all means, Alzaar, I shall take your lead in such matters. I was just trying to help if you were going to follow Rhade. I will stay back here though in case we missed something and it decides to come out while you inspect the doors over there.
Gorguk stands back while he waits for Alzaar to inspect the other doors using detect evil to scan the area and the group just to make certain of the surroundings.
Alzaar studies the door but finding it unlocked with no traps, steps in with Jalal alongside.
To the east a courtyard (B15): A tiled walkway surrounds a square patch of earth and sand in this high atrium.
To the north the dining room (B17): An enormous stone table, the marble top polished and smooth, runs parallel to the west wall of this large room. A much smaller stone table stands in the east side of the room. Splintered piles of dust and wood lie in the corners and along the walls — the only remains of chairs after untold years. A strong, fetid stench pervades the room.
To the south a parlor (B12): Sand and dust cover the floor, and painted columns stand in all but one of the corners. Pieces of broken wood, shattered
pottery, and disintegrating fabric litter the room’s perimeter.
With his keen elven sight, Jalal sees a chapel in the far east (B16).
As the party enters, Gorguk senses the presence of evil from the general direction of the courtyard.
Jalal peers through the doorway. "There's a chapel beyond the courtyard. Perhaps some good artifacts are still there."
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Whispering to the group to halt Groguk informs them Go slowly and with caution. There is an evil presence that I can sense ahead of us in the courtyard. I do not know the exact nature of the evil though.
"I'm fine with dealing with the courtyard and then checking the chapel first."
i am not that sly or quiet. Do you want me to wait here and have you get a closer look or have me move up with you to the edge of the doorway to provide backup?
As he talks Gorguk maintains the detect evil to see if he can determine the number and strength of the aura he detected.
Alzaar sneaks ahead to scout out the enemies and the area.
Gorguk stays back where he is until Alzaar motions forward. Alzaar is proceeding closer to where the evil presence was but hopefully Alzaar is quiet enough that he won't be detected.
Rhade waits for Gorguk to follow Alzaar before he fell in line. That big boy is here for a reason. Keep him in between me and them!
As Alzaar slinks sneakily into the courtyard and begins to move around the room, sticking to the corners, Gorguk's detect evil ability reveals to him that there is one evil presence within range.
Alzaar sees that a balcony on the second floor of the manor overlooks the courtyard, and a square hole in the ceiling opens to the sky. Four columns in the corners of the atrium support the roof above, and the walls are decorated with symbols and hieroglyphs depicting animals, celestial creatures, and the sun and moon. The alert bard is not surprised when the patch of sand in the center rapidly and suddenly coalesces into what appears to be the statue of a beautiful woman made of sand, currently 10' away. It speaks to the bard, "Handsome stranger, what brings you and your friends to this abandoned manor? Have you come to keep me company?"
The whole party can see and interact with the creature.
Rhade parleys and tries to take the measure of the strange creature. "We are here to explore this place and see what we can discover. I must admit, I've never encountered a creature such as yourself. Most interesting. How long have you been here? What exact sort of creation are you, if you don't mind my bluntness?"
Jalal steps forward, lowering his sword. "What is your name, beautiful one? I am Jalal. As my friend said, we wish to explore this place for the history which lies here."
Gorguk maintains the detect evil now directed at the sand woman. If she detects as evil Gorguk will finger the holy symbol of Sarenrae around his neck as he waits for her to answer the questions asked of her. He does move into the northwest corner of the room to spread themselves out and provide the opportunity to flank at some point.
If she does not detect as evil then he will step up next to Jalal bowing slightly in greeting.
Alzaar keeps his whip unfurled, and bows to the thing while not breaking eye contact.
Tales abound of beautiful women in the sand who lure unwary men to their deaths... Hopefully you're not one of them.
He smiles at her, and speaks again.
We are here on city business, regrettably, but please, pray tell us why you live here, in the necropolis?
His words are meant as a distraction, to allow the party to move into more advantageous positions should the thing attack.
The woman looks at the party as you move around her. "I am the spirit of the house. I am called Heshsharu and I am quite lonely. I am an elemental and have not had much dealings with you mortals. Tell me of the world outside these walls." Her head seems to twitch as she looks at the party members.
Rhade tells a bit of information of the outside world to the house protector. "We have plenty more nuggets of information, however, as we told you earlier, we have a mission to explore this place. Do you object us us carrying out our orders?"
Gorguk, now aware that she is evil, tries to filter out her words to see if they are true or she is lying to them. His xenophobic nature makes it harder to tell if the sand woman is telling the truth but such is his distrust of all creatures that he is wary first and accepting later.
Sense motive
Gorguk leans back against the corner of the room with one leg raised and the foot against the wall. Hopefully the posture makes it seem like his is relaxed while Rhade and the others speak to the creature. In reality that bent leg is ready to push off and propel himself forward should the need arise and combat occur. He keeps his eyes moving all around looking for other signs of danger as well.
Perception
Alzaar eyes the thing warily.
Information? I'm afraid we don't have much, and like my friend said, it can't be given freely... Why don't we barter with each other using information instead? You tell us of and nasty traps and where all the historically valuable treasure is, and we tell you of the outside world? That way, everyone leaves happy!
He loosens the coiled whip, not to where it's unfurled, but to where he can smoothly attack with it if he needs to.
The elemental smiles flirtatiously, "Sounds like a good deal. You're not threatening me with that whip, are you? I have done nothing to you. I just wish to hear of your travels and existence on this mortal coil."
Gorguk walks along the north wall looking for anything of note till he gets to the far side and can peer through the opening there. All ths while though he keeps an eye on the group and the woman watching the performance wondering if there is anything interesting that they are going to get in exchange for world news. Why the creature wanted the knowledge he did not know or care at the moment as long as nothing evil came of it.
The elemental listens to Rhade's tidbits but nods in agreement at the information but it continues twitching until it screams out, "Enough of this charade! I cannot put up with anymore of this monotony! I am here to kill you all, so let's get on with it!"
You see the elemental's seductive form melt away into a medusa-like horror with tentacles and an enormous jaw that widens into a mouth full of fangs almost as large as its head! Something like this: Link
The elemental dodges most of the damage, though the flames do hurt it.
Alzaar smiles disappointedly when the elemental shows her true purpose, and send his whip snaking toward her feet.
A pity... We could have had a much better time than this...
Alzaar's whip strikes wide of the mark. The elemental smiles, "Sleep my children!"
Will +2 if a Charm or Compulsion effect.
Will save
Children? Please quit trying to be patronizing and shut up. That way we can get this over with sooner and continue on with our assigned task of exploring this building for knowledge of the ancients. Or do you just want to flee while you still can?
The elemental sneers at Alzaar. "Only one of you fell! You dared attack me so I will kill you first."
The elemental takes a 5' step diagonally and attacks the bard but its sand fist strikes the wall behind Alzaar!
Alzaar takes a step to the left, and lashes out with his whip again.
Now, now, no need for violence my lady! Just let us kill you!
Gorguk moves to a point behind the sand creature to provide flank and attacks with his shield based on the advice from Kakra.
power attack shield bash for
Rhade moves and tries to get an angle that he could use his Burning Hands spell without catching one of his teammates.
Burning Hands with Pyromaniac bonus
Reflex DC 14 for half.
Jalal draws his morningstar and swing it at the sand creature. "We will free this house of your influence!"
With the elemental in his face, Alzaar draws his scimitar and hacks viciously at the elemental.
Round 2: Elemental
The elemental seethes with fury at being burned, but seeing the paladin and Jalal engage it in melee, its takes a 5' step toward Rhade but attacks Gorguk!
Gorguk continues to swing at the creature hoping that this time he can make the necessary corrections needed to strike her. Indeed this time his aim is more accurate as the shield slams solidly into her with as much force as possible.
power attack shield bash for
It is never too late to admit your faults and surrender. If you do not then we will be forced to defeat you to carry out our mission.
Rhade takes a 5' step back and fires off an acid splash spell at the elemental.
Ranged Touch Attack
Damage