The spiraling stairway from above terminates in this vaulted chamber. Looming jackal-headed statuary, oversized pillars, and a long reflecting pool lend a grandiose scale to the room.
The walls are covered with hieroglyphics, and soar 20ft up to the vaulted ceiling. At regular intervals, the same heatless flame appears on the walls, illuminating the room. On the far wall, double doors made of bronze stand closed.
Nimaethep paused to give a quick prayer to the ancient representations of Anubis. Though he had long since abdicated his role as protector of the dead to Pharasma it was pleasing to see that the clergy of the Goddess of Graves still showed him respect.
The catfolk ran her hand reverently over the ancient hieroglyphics as she read them.
"Do you suppose that this in an ancient structure that the Pharasmans built their temple over, or did they build these as well as the temple above?"
Looking carefully over the magnificent room, Vash says, ”I suppose it could be either, Nimaethep. Can anyone read the hieroglyphs?”
The hieroglyphics are in Ancient Osiriani, and the tell the tale of the Shepses family history and the life of Nefru Shepses -- his divine inspiration to join Pharasma's faith, the creation of the necropolis and his restoration of Wati.
Five hundred years after the Cult of Lamashu unleashed the Plague of Madness upon the citizens of Wati, (In 2953) the Pharasman priest Nefru Shepses marched on the city with a small army of alchemists, masons and morticians. Over the next 30 years, the group built the Grand Mausoleum (a temple to Pharasma), retrieved bodies for consecrated burial and walled off the old city, creating the Necropolis.
As you walk about the room, examining this and that....you notice a few barely perceptible lumps in the sand at the bottom of the long reflecting pool
”What’s this?” asks Vash somewhat rhetorically to himself as he looks into the reflecting pool. Taking out his spear, he carefully pokes it into the sand beside some lumps, then uses the flat side of the blade to scoop out what may be hidden beneath the sand.
Nimaethep surveyed the room with a hint of wonder. "This is remarkable, to be in the tomb of such a prestigious man."
Her face darkened for a moment "But also troubling. The resting place of the person who brought Pharasma's faith to Wati and built the Necropolis itself shouldn't be the focal point of foul necromancy which has awakened the dead. I fear that some manner of desecration has happened here."
"Vash, is there any sign that anyone else may have been here somewhat recently? Oh, what have you found there?"
Vash's spear sinks into the thin layer of sand, and under one of the lumps.
The movement reveals a glint of silver....a funerary rod, one of many it would appear.
Further probing reveals 30 in total , along with a pair of bracers, remarkably unaffected by their submersion in the water.
Vash pulls out the items and props them up against the wall to dry for the moment, though he holds the bracers carefully and says, ”These are well-preserved…Magical, perhaps?” He holds the bracers out for Harmini to inspect if she likes.
You detect an aura of abjuration magic emanating from the bracers, concluding that they would offer some protection from attacks.
Nimaethep admired the funerary rods as Harmini examined the bracers.
As the others examine the rods and the bracers, Vash moves over to the double doors and searches them for any details that might be of use. Traps, locks, opening mechanisms that might be unusual...that kind of thing.
When Vash investigates the doors, he finds them to be made of sturdy bronze....all appear to be unlocked.
Turning back, Vash says, ”Are we ready to move on? I see no traps on these doors and they appear to be unlocked.”
If no one objects, Vash will open the doors.
Nimaethep gathered up the rods and carefully wrapped them before stowing them in her pack. They were part of ancient burial rights and as such were of interest to the practitioner of such things. She would research them later.
With Vash ready to proceed, the nimble catfolk took her position next to the door and made ready to face whatever lay beyond.
Vash pulls the large door open, it's heavy mass moving smoothly and quietly in it's expertly fashioned hinges.
Beyond, the arched ceiling of this chamber towers overhead, rising to
a height of sixty feet above the tiled floor. Hundreds of small
alcoves cover the walls, hidden behind neglected silk curtains in
blue and gold. A small altar sits in the center, caked in unsightly
stains. A heavy scent of camphor and pitch hang in the air.
Within the alcoves are chained dozens of writhing figures, dead but given un-life. Out on the floor of the chamber , seven of the figures wander. All turn to regard the door as it opens, then begin to shamble towards the interlopers...
Initiative Order
Zombies
Teos
Vash
Harmini
Nimaethep
With a surprising quickness a couple of the zombies advance quickly upon the open door and accost our heroes...but both of their dirty claws do no injury to Vash or Harmini.
The other zombies shuffle their way forward...
Teos moves to another set of doors, ready to flank the zombies.
Vash takes a step back and says, ”Zombies!” as he quickly shoots a pair of arrows at the approaching horde.
Nimaethep recoiled at the sight of the desecrated altar. Although the speed of the undead was worrisome, she did not hesitate once they were within reach.
With feline grace she attacked the nearest zombie through the doorway. Although it was a difficult strike her plan was to simply try and distract the zombies and give Harmini an opening to get away from their grasping claws.
Once she was in motion, Nimaethep flowed effortlessly from one spot to another, working her way in front of Harmini and drawing the ire of the zombies to herself.
Harmini, not particularly liking being face to face with the zombies, withdraws to a safer spot, allowing Nimaethep to take her place at the door.
Both zombies at the door take swipes at Vash as he steps back, but their attempts meet only air.
Vash's arrows strike the zombies hard, causing the two at the door to collapse .
The following zombies quickly take their place! One each moving forward to threaten Vash and Nimaethep. Their awkward blows fall upon the heroes but do no harm.
Teos sorties through the other door, cutting down a zombie with his khopesh. Harmini frowns at her friend's rashness, follows Teos to the door, see the approaching group of zombies and raises her hand and unleashes a wave of energy out into the room! Where the light of the wave touches the zombies, their undead flesh is flayed from their bodies.
All of the zombies are damaged by Harmini's channel, but still shamble forward!
[dice]
Initiative Order
Zombies
Teos
Vash
Harmini
Nimaethep
Taking another five foot step away from the zombies (to the south) so he has room to aim his bow, Vash looses another pair of arrows at each zombie to his north.
Nimaethep held her ground against the pressing hoard. As long as she could slow them down and keep them away from Vash, the half orc archer could keep putting them down one by one.
She knew that pounding the dead flesh with her fists was unlikely to do much damage, but as long as she could keep making herself a nuisance and keep them focused on her then she was keeping everyone else safe.
Vash's arrows find their marks, felling two more of the shambling monsters! A spinning kick from Nimaethep crushes the ribcage of another, the baleful light in its eye sockets fading as it crumbles to the ground.
A clatter attracts your attention to the spiral staircase. Glancing over you shoulder you see that four individuals, all masked, have entered the room. One of them is your previous foe, Ekram-Iffek. Three appear to be similar to his cultists that you've fought before.
You hear a female voice shout , "You fools! The mask belongs to us! We are the true heirs to the Sky Pharaoh's legacy! When he rises again to reclaim his throne, we will receive Hakotep's blessings, not the likes of you!"
The four surge forward to confront you!
Ekram-Iffek moves up and fires his bow at Vash, but the ranger adroitly deflects the arrow with his buckler.
One of the zombies steps up on Nimaethep and lashes out at her, but her the graceful movements of the crane style confuses it, making it miss by a wide margin.
Teos' and Harmini's move into the other room proves their folly as the remaining zombies surround them...both are pummeled brutally by the animated dead.
The cultists move forward and pause, moving their hands in a incanation, ending them throwing a small green orb at both Nimaethep and Vash, each of whom is struck by one orb. It burns when it strikes.
Teos roars a challenge to the zombies and cuts one down.
Initiative Order
Ekram-Iffek
Zombies
Cultists
Teos
Vash
Harmini
Nimaethep
Vash says, ”We’ve got company!” says Vash, moving a step closer to the zombie room. Not seeing any zombies in range, he spins and looses a pair of arrows at the returned foe, Ekram-Iffek!
Nimaethep reacted quickly to the new threats, running up past Vash she moved to engage the new threat and keep them away from the archer while he dealt with them from afar. As for the two to the East, Teos would have to handle them.
As she ran, a few thoughts crossed her mind "Sky pharaoh? Hakotep?" Did these names mean anything to her?
"I don't care about a mask or whoever it is that you serve, if you are responsible for awakening the eternal slumber of the dead you will answer for your crimes."
As she moved, a quick flick brought a wand from her belt into her hand as she attempted to recite the command word.
She noted with dismay that nothing happened. Maybe it was the sting of the little glob of liquid that the cultist had hit her with, but whatever the reason it was always a tricky thing to coax the magic from the device. Regardless she pressed on.
A sudden light seems to come back into the eyes of Teos as he grins and swings his khopesh at the surrounding creatures.
Harmini nods in satisfaction as the zombies are blown to dust by her divine energy. A quick glance shows her that none of the other zombies attached to the walls are free, so she turns to see what is happening in the other room.
Seeing more competent enemies engaging with Vash and Nimaethep, she pulls a scroll from her belt, unrolls it and recites the arcane sigils written there!
She then points her finger at one of the cultists running down the far size of the pool. His gait falters, then stops as he succumbs to Harmini's magic.
Ekram-Iffek smiles as Nimaethep engages, coming at her with his new Khopesh and kukri. Nimaethep easily dodges the deadly sweep of the khopesh's blade, but her foe is quicker with the kukri!
The unseen woman's voice rings out again, this time a series of arcane syllables. In response, a flickering of the air occurs in front of Vash , and two large dogs appear, their eyes flickering with fiendish energy! With a snarl, they attack! They harry and snap at Vash, but he fends off their savage jaws.
One of the cultists continues to run forward, then notices his companion was not with him. Skidding to a halt, he glances back, then turns toward Teos and Harmini. A quick incantation and an extended hand sends a curtain of fire at the two friends. . Harmini isn't quick enough and takes the full brunt of the fire.
On the other side of the pool, the other cultist takes a turn at Nimaethep, and comes close to hitting with his sword.
Combat order
Ekram-Iffek
Zombies
Cultists
Teos
Vash
Harmini
Nimaethep
Nimaethep
Reflex save: fail 3hp damage
As the flame sweeps over him, the warrior lets out a growl and moves towards the cultist who cast the spell.
Attack: CRIT
Damage:
Vash takes a careful step back and fires off a pair of shots at the cultists, starting with the one next to Nimaethep.
With a mighty swing of his khopesh Teos batters down the cultits' defenses, the salt blade breaking ribs and cleaving deep into the man's chest. With a gurgle of surprise, the man teeters and falls to the ground.
Harmini advances to stand beside Vash, raises a hand and flicks her wrist in a dismissive motion to the cultist fighting Nimaethep, "Flee!" she says firmly. For a slight moment, it seems as though the man was seriously considering her suggestion, then with a shake of his head focused his attention on Nimaethep.
Combat order
Ekram-Iffek
Cultists
Teos
Vash
Harmini
Nimaethep
Adopting her defensive stance, Nimaethep moved smoothly about her opponent, attacking only two or three times, each a quick and decisive blow.
Combat order
Ekram-Iffek
Cultists
Teos
Vash
Harmini
Nimaethep
Vash's arrows fly across the battlefield, one of them striking the cultist engaged with Nimaethep. Though momentarily distracted, he gathers his wits to successfully fend off Nimaethep's darting attacks.
Ekram-Iffek comes in at Nimeathep, khobpesh and kukri flashing, but her defensive style befuddles his attempts.
The cultist likewise attempts to skewer Nimaethep on his shortsword, but he is likewise confused by Nimaethep's defensive movements.
The unseen woman's voice again is heard , the arcane syllables now familiar...3 more dogs appear in front of Vash and join the first two in leaping to the attack, this time including Harmini! Three of the dogs snap at Vash, but are unable to find purchase. However, one of the dogs manages to grab hold of Harmini's leg , leaving a bloody wound.
On the far side of the pool, the immobilized cultist, gives his body a shake and throws off Harmini's enchantment.
Taking a five foot step back, Vash says, ”Do you think these hounds could use some Burning Hands, Lady Harmini?” He then draws a bead on the cultist behind Nimaethep, sending a pair of arrows at him to try and reduce the odds against her.
Having dropped his foe with a swipe of his sword, Toes moves forward to engage another of the Cultists. Once again he swings his magical Khopesh at the enemy.
Attack: CRIT
Damage:
Nimaethep glanced about in dismay as the number of enemies suddenly multiplied dramatically. There was little she could do to assist Vash and Harmini at the moment, at best she could continue to keep the attention of the two cultists on herself and hope that the dogs would be easy enough for the others to handle.
Turning slightly, she quickly struck out at the lesser looking of the two fighters facing her and then danced back a step or two so as to avoid ending up flanked by the two combatants.
Having dropped his foe with a swipe of his sword, Toes moves forward to engage another of the Cultists. Once again he swings his magical Khopesh at the enemy.
Attack: 1d20+11 CRIT
Damage: 2d8+13
Harmini nods at Vash's suggestion, and moves slightly , raises her hands up and evokes a cone of flame! The four nearest hounds are immolated, but the furthest manages to escape the brunt of the heat!
The cultist engages with Nimaethep is surprised by the appearance of two arrows embedded in his chest. His face is frozen in amazement as he topples over, dead.
Teos' mighty blow threatens to bowl over his cultist, but the man recovers his footing and returns the attack, but Teos easily deflects the blow with his weapon.
Ekram Iffek comes at Nimaethep again, swords flashing. He anticipates on of her defensive leaps and hit her hard with his khopesh
Again the unseen woman raises her voice in arcane command and two additional hounds appear...and attack! One leaps at Vash , but he easily fends it off with his bow. However, the other two harry Harmini, and one of them finds purchase , gashing her leg.
Sighing as more hounds appear, Vash steps back slightly, thinking, "I really need to learn that close combat technique (Point Blank Master)".
He sends two more arrows at the foes, this time shooting at the hounds, trying to give Harmini some breathing room.
Teos once again lifts his magical sword and slashed at the wounded cultist.
Attack:
Damage:
Nimaethep was shocked and dismayed at her shoddy performance as the dual wielding cultist managed to land another blow on her.
Still, as long as he was focused on her, her companions were free to deal with the other cultists.
Concentrating all her attention on the man's dual khopesh, she did everything she could to dodge and dance around his flashing blades.