Mummy's Mask

Game Master Samy

Turel nods quickly, apparently more than eager to get out of the Tomb. "That plan makes the most sense to me."

Once the group has reassembled underneath the shaft heading back to the entrance, Turel motions for Camus to climb on his shoulders. "Now be careful with your feet here, Camus. I do not wish you to damage anything else...valuable." He says with the faintest hint of a smile on his face.

It has been a long time since I have felt the need to feel the hot desert air on my face...

Harmose asked about what the purpose for A10 might have been. Trained History or Religion would help with that.

You have no further encounters or troubles gathering the valuables so far and exiting the tomb. Camus Taking 10 will make it pretty effortless to get up to the rope and from then on it's smooth sailing. You only spent a couple of hours in the tomb, so it's only around midday when you climb out.

Of the treasures, you have a decision to make regarding the chariot. In order to take it out, it will need to be disassembled, and that will require either Craft (carpentry) or Profession (driver). Do you want to try those rolls yourselves, or come up with something else?

Another choice: Do you close the tomb up to protect it from the curious, or leave it open for easier access when you come back?

Traveling through the Necropolis does not present a problem when the sun is so high, illuminating almost everything without shade.

I have updated the treasure list document. Please let me know if you wish to liquidate any of the items into cash; unless stated explicitly, I will keep the items as items and not convert them to gold.

The treasure list document also now tracks how much of the loot has been assigned to which characters, so that it should be easier to see if someone is getting too much or too little in comparison to others. Of course it's pretty swingy right now because you've found so few items so far, but as the campaign goes on, it should even out.

What errands do you wish to run during the afternoon/evening? I will call for the relationship rolls when you are ready to go to bed, so don't worry about them for now. Let's get all the other stuff out of the way first if you want to do anything.

BEFORE LEAVING:

Turel takes a good look around the Room A10 trying to determine what it s purpose was.

Knowledge History: 1d20 ⇒ 17
Knowledge Religion: 1d20 ⇒ 16

As the group climbs out, Turel looks at the stone wheel and asks, "I do not feel it wise to leave this Tomb unsealed. Should we seal it back up?"

AFTER LEAVING THE NECROPOLIS:

"I can talk with Bal Themm about procuring a cure wand for us. Is there anything else you wish for me to mention to her?"

Before Leaving

As the group begins to file back out of A10, Aleris glances around one more time, still curious as to what sort of purpose it might serve.

Kn. Religion: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (1) + 6 = 7

Outside

"Closing it back up isn't a bad idea since we know we can open it again."

-Posted with Wayfinder

Before leaving

"Am I right in assuming that we want to sell nearly everything here?" He looks at Tuneya. "Do you need more time to study the books and the papers before we consider selling them?"

Outside

Harmose drops to his knees in the sunlight and raises a falcon feather overhead. "Thank you, Lord Horus, for watching over me and my companions. We are grateful to return to your light."

He gets up, brushes himself off, and says to Tuneya, "I can help sell items as needed. As your student, would you like my help with your research today? I am not very skilled, but I take good notes!" He glances over at Aleris as he continues talking to Tuneya, "However, I would want to end well before dinner time. A certain lady and I need to have a talk after this morning's revelations."

Once he is done making arrangements with Tuneya and the others, he reaches out to take Aleris's arm, if she'll let him.

"Aleris?" Harmose looks at his pretty teammate. "Remember when I admitted to Camus how much I liked you, and that I would like to take you out to dinner?" He pauses, waiting for her acknowledgment.

"I was wondering... if you're not too tired... if you'd like to go with me tonight?" Harmose smiles, and then throws an arm out, indicating the great city waiting beyond. "We could go anyplace in Wati you'd like, so long as they have food and enough quiet so that we could... well, talk."

Ever since the decision had been made to leave the tomb for the day, Aleris had been quiet, lost in thought. Something had told her that even with the day's excitement and near-misses, that Harmose had no intention of forgetting about that dinner invitation. So she'd been thinking it over, rehearsing what she wanted to say in her mind.

You're getting in over your head. Just be kind, but honest - tell him, 'Thank you, but no.' He'll probably be disappointed but I don't think he'd stay that way for very long.

But now that the time had come for her to give her carefully thought-out answer, she couldn't do it.

"I...yes, I'd like that," she heard herself saying. "You know I'm not very familiar with Wati, but I do know a place that might work. The Whispering Stone. I'm not sure if you've heard of it, but it's an inn and tavern built around a giant statue's head. When I first arrived in the city, I stayed there for a few days before moving my things over to the Tooth & Hookah. Teht Blackblossom owns the place and it's thanks to her that I even know what little I do about Wati. I think it might do the trick, if that sounds okay?"

She wasn't sure why she didn't turn him down. Was it because he seemed so genuinely enthusiastic about spending time with her? Or was it merely curiosity?

"In the meantime," she adds, raising her voice slightly to address everyone, "I'll help with whatever needs doing. But I'd probably be of more use running errands around town than in the library."

Turel nods in reply to Aleris, "I shall escort you while we care care of this business." As the two of them travel through Wati, she does notice Turel seems more distracted and lost in thought than usual.

Bluff: 1d20 ⇒ 14

After the pair has finished selling the acquired treasures and also running the various errands and once Turel has dropped off Aleris in time for her upcoming dinner date with Harmose, he feels a mixed sense of relief and disappointment as he watches the pale haired lady step inside the Tooth and Hookah. Staring out at the setting sun, he absentmindedly wipes a tear which seemed to have materialized out of nowhere from his face.

Wondering what exactly was troubling him, he tries to settle his mind searching for the inner calm which had always proved a refuge in the past. It took longer for him to find it for some reason, and with a startling flash of insight realizes with a feeling of...what it is the answer still eludes him.

I have...feelings for her! That cannot be! Perhaps it is because of her paleness...so different than those of my tribe.

I will not...I must not...interfere.

Perhaps if I seek Bal Themm's advice here? No...I do not think she wishes to hear of this. Still I have nowhere else to go.

Soon he finds himself walking towards the Midwife district where he hopefully will find Bal Themm still performing her priestly duties. While he knew she would be busy dealing with the other adventuring parties, he hopes she would not be too tired to lend an ear.

At least she will be excited to hear of our discoveries...

ON THE WAY BACK

With Aleris

Harmose smiles radiantly. "Would six thirty be okay with you? And should I pick you up at the Tooth and Hookah?"

But as he leaves her, he wonders at the nervous look he saw in her eyes. Maybe it's just nervousness?

With Camus

"Camus, will you be going to see Kema this afternoon? Do you want to practice what you might say to her about what we found today? I'd be happy to listen."

With Turel and Aleris

"Thank you two for offering to take on the selling, so that Tuneya and I can spend more time in the library."

Untrained Sense Motive: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (10) + 1 = 11

Harmose doesn't notice today that his best friend is interested in the same woman he is.

With Tuneya

"Where would you like to get started? I'm hoping to get some information on all of the Osirioni gods that we saw in the tomb that we couldn't identify, especially this one."

Harmose pulls out a drawing of the jackal-headed god he had sketched in Akhenati's tomb. He also has rough sketches of the masks and other places where the ancient Osirion gods made an appearance.

"The jackal-headed one looks hauntingly familiar, Tuneya. I know I have seen him before. However, some of the memories from my childhood are... blocked. That's part of the reason I'm here. I'm trying to reconstruct, and better understand what happened to me. Will you help me dig this up?"

Then, as an afterthought, he adds:

"We could also research pulleys. And how better to disassemble the chariot if we decide to bring it up."

"Is there anything else you want to add to our research list?"

WALK BACK TO TOWN

Harmose

"Six thirty should work. Surely it won't take any longer than that to finish up what needs to be done in town and make it back to the Tooth & Hookah, even if we have to haggle over prices for a bit." She tries to keep her tone light, but can't entirely hide the nervousness she's beginning to feel as she realizes the appointed time is only a few short hours away.

Turel & Harmose

"Better either of you than me," Aleris says in response to Harmose's thanks. "I probably mentioned earlier that I don't have a large amount of patience for sitting quietly and poring through tomes...I usually learn better by doing," she says with a chuckle. "Between Turel and myself, I think we should be able to get a fair price for what we've found; I'm sure he's familiar with how such things are done here and I can follow his lead."

Errands with Turel

Thankful for the chance to distract herself from thinking about her upcoming date, Aleris puts a surprising amount of effort into the process of finding buyers for the treasures they've found. In a way, it almost felt like a game of sorts - tracking down the right person and then working out a deal to everyone's mutual satisfaction. She had to admit that she was thankful that Turel had decided to escort her for more reasons than just his general knowledge of local customs; with him present, she knew that it was much less likely that anyone would try to cheat her. During a brief lull between walking from one shop to the next, she steals a glance at the man. Though he had been of much help during the various transactions that they'd made, she noticed that he seemed otherwise quiet and lost in thought about something.

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (15) + 8 = 23

"Turel, you're being quieter than usual this afternoon. What's on your mind?"

Knowledge(history): 1d20 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (18) + 6 + 1 = 25

Tuneya tries to recall what she can about why the chamber would be made, then relates it to the others before turning to leave.

She then nods to Harmose as they go to leave. "I do need more time to study them. I want to make certain we have every bit of historical information we can get from them before we give them to an archive or historian. That way, there's multiple copies of the information for others to peruse in case something happens. It also may reveal fascinating information for us."

Outside

She waits until Harmose is done, then touches the tomb. "Thank you, gods of this land, for letting us tread upon your grounds."

She then grins to Harmose. "I'm surprised you do not wish to discuss with her immediately. I cannot promise we will be done by dinner time; these things sometimes take awhile. But, perhaps, Aleris can come with? Three eyes are better than two, and you two can take time to discuss during the research if we end up running late."

But, she can see that he will not, since plans are made, and winks at the pair while grinning. She can't help it; they remind her so much of her and Izola back when they were first dating!

With Harmose

Tuneya nods. "First, I want to talk to the priests of Pharasma about that god. They may know something, and it would save us a trip. After that, I want to try to translate these texts. We can also research pulleys, if those will help, and I want to research that insect we ran into while we were down there. And the animated statues..."

She hrms. "The list is rather long... Pharasma and pulleys first, then translation. Anything further can wait. I don't want to spend too much time doing research when you have a busy night ahead..."

A pulley system will be no problem. However, the chariot is big enough that it will still need to be disassembled into pieces to fit out the various exits. And in order to disassemble it and later reassemble it, you will still need Craft or Profession. At least two options present themselves when it comes to the chariot: you can leave it there until you have enough experience to level up, at which point someone can put points in the skill; you can attempt one of the skills untrained; you can hire a professional. I can't find the prices for the latter right now (if anyone can spot the relevant point in the PRD, let me know), but I can't imagine they'd be expensive.

Regarding the jackal-headed god, using Wati itself as a library resource, you will get a +2 on Knowledge (religion), and untrained people may attempt as well.

The same applies to Knowledge (nature) regarding the bugs. +2 and untrained people may attempt.

"Turel, you're being quieter than usual this afternoon. What's on your mind?"

Turel does not respond immediately to the query, as he finds himself momentarily struck by how the setting sun reflects in her hair.

Truly, she takes my thoughts away from me. Still I cannot say it aloud...it is not something words can explain. She expects a rply...

"I...I...forgive me Aleris. I do have much on my mind. When I was in the Tomb I felt its presence all around me, something I have not felt previously before."

That is the truth...although much of that feeling I fear is due to you...

"It seemed as if the very earth was...singing to me...it is hard to explain in words. I shall meditate on that and perhaps later I can enlighten you after your...date."

Harmose works side by side with Tuneya, painstakingly recording her translations, and struggling with the ancient Osirion words. He even repeats some aloud as she says them, trying to absorb the language.

"Tuneya,' he says during one break, "at some point... Could you teach me to read me?" He rolls up his sleeve, showing his bare tattooed arm. "I'm covered with these... literally... but cannot read myself."

He also diligently works on researching both the strange bugs and the jackal-headed god, whose mystery teased at his soul.

Untrained Knowledge Nature: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6

Harmose's mind is not on the bug research, however. After looking up a bunch of insects, he comes to the stunning conclusion that these bugs were a) insects and b) dog-sized.

Untrained Knowledge Religion: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (20) + 3 = 23 Finally!

Looking through some literature on the ancient Osirioni gods, he finds a book with a picture of Anubis in it.

He message spells Tuneya from across the room, where she is perusing another book. "Tuneya, Tuneya! I found it! Come, look!"

When he shows her the page, he is shaking and holding a small brown rabbit in his arms.

"Tuneya... I now know why this god is familiar. I've traveled through his realm. I..."

He breaks off, overcome.

"I...I...forgive me Aleris. I do have much on my mind. When I was in the Tomb I felt its presence all around me, something I have not felt previously before."

"It seemed as if the very earth was...singing to me...it is hard to explain in words. I shall meditate on that and perhaps later I can enlighten you after your...date."

"No no, it's okay...I'm sorry that I interrupted your line of thought. I know that you feel uncertain about the lottery and what we're doing in the Necropolis, so I thought that you might've been thinking on that since we're here to sell what we've found."

As they continue walking, Aleris pauses a beat and then gives Turel an appraising look.

"You know, sometimes people are born who have a connection to one of the elements. Whether by...blood or workings of the divine or something else entirely. If it seemed like the earth was singing to you...maybe you have some sort of connection to it that's awakened or is trying to awaken?"

Turel turns to face Aleris and for a brief second a look of awe passes over his face as he drinks in her appearance before again resuming his stoic mask. He nods slowly, "Perhaps you may be on the path to discovery. I have always felt such...affinity for the sand and the stone lying beneath it. I never really understood what that meant before. I just thought it was a part of others, like it is a part of myself. You have given me another piece of the puzzle to meditate on. Thank you."

Mistaking Turel's brief expression of awe being in response to her observation, Aleris offers an embarrassed chuckle. "You're welcome, but I'm sure I'm not the only one who might have suggested it. Tuneya would probably know more about such things than I would..."

At least from an academic perspective...

"So she might be able to offer you some insight as well."

Seemingly finished making her point and offering advice, Aleris lapses into silence for a few moments as she and Turel continue on their way.

"But if that is the case, then you're not alone. Instead of hearing the singing of the earth, I feel the pull of the wind and the call of the open sky," she suddenly says, the words tumbling out almost of their own volition.

Turel is silent for a moment as he digests the unusual, albeit not that surprising, news of Aleris' ties to the air.

She is drawn to the air elements? Very...fascinating. Is that why I find myself drawn to her. I believe that sounds...possible. Yet how can two elements that are not capable of mixing as one, be drawn to each other?

As the silence drags on, the look on Turel's face betrays his confusion.

What am I missing here? Perhaps her suggestion is a wise one, to consult with Tuneya once I have met with Bal Themm.

Finally, he seems to notice Aleris waiting for a reply. Haltingly he replies, "Your words have given me some insight as to what I am..." he stops suddenly, not willing to utter the word Feeling. Instead he finishes, "thinking." Flushing in spite of the cool desert air, he adds "Have you always felt this pull of the air?"

"Yes," Aleris says simply. "For me, I know why. It's...in my blood, a part of who I am. Just like my ability to see in the dark. But I never knew what I really am until after leaving home."

She hadn't really planned to have this conversation one-on-one with anyone; after displaying her dark vision in the tomb, she knew that it would only be a matter of time before the others had more questions for her. However, she had expected to discuss it with everyone, as a group...

But...I think Turel needs to hear this from someone who has some idea of what it's like. Even if he's not the same as me.

"I still don't really understand why, but sometimes beings from places beyond this plane have dalliances with humans. And from that, down through the generations children are sometimes born who carry traces of that otherworldly ancestry. I'm one of them."

Turel pauses while digesting the news.

She carries traces of otherworldly beings in her blood! I had missed the signs before, from her vision, to her hair and the way the wind seems to swirl of its own accord...How could I have missed it?

Yet Turel had the growing suspicion he already knew the answer...

Is it possible I have such ancestry in my blood? Could that explain...my feelings?

He is silent again for an even longer pause than before. "I...do not know what to say Aleris. To not grow among those who will support you and guide you on the path to adulthood...that is a terrible burden for one to carry." He turns to look into her eyes, his dark blue eyes meeting her own. "I said before when we first met, back at the Hookah, according to my tribal customs we are now bonded as a family." His gaze grows more intense as he adds, "You shall always be a part of my family Aleris. You shall never be alone again."

Taken aback by the sudden intensity of Turel's gaze, Aleris finds herself momentarily at a loss for words. After what seems like ages but is really just a few seconds, she finally finds her voice once more. "Now I don't know what to say. Except for my friend Nella, there's not been anyone that I've felt close enough to to call them family...or that's felt that way about me. And she's not here, she was supposed to be here with me but she couldn't come..." As she thinks of her far-off friend, Aleris' voice trembles slightly and she's surprised to find her vision suddenly blurry.

Nonono, I will *not* cry, not out here in the middle of the street!

Unable (or unwilling?) to break Turel's gaze, Aleris blinks rapidly as she fights back tears. "Custom or not, it must take a quite a leap of faith to allow yourself to bond so quickly to people that you've only known for a short time. "

And if he can do it...then so can you.

"Thank you, Turel. I feel better about being here now that I have you and the others to stand with me...and knowing that I'm not alone," she smiles, gratefully.

His eyes are like mine, just a darker shade of blue... the thought floats up suddenly, unbidden.

"But now you're stuck with us all, so don't get any ideas about looking for a refund," she adds with a slightly nervous chuckle, suddenly feeling the need for a bit of levity.

Whoops, I missed Tuneya's earlier History roll.

Tuneya relates to the party that A10, where the bugs attacked you, was likely a preparation chamber, where the embalming took place, as well as the final mummification rites and interment rituals. From A10, the bodies would have been carried to their final resting places before the tomb was sealed. The altar in A10, as your research also confirmed, was dedicated to Anubis, patron of embalmers and guardian of tombs.

Does anyone else wish to try the Nature rolls to find out what the bugs were?

Do you wish to continue your roleplay, or shall we move on to the end of day?

Since there would still be injuries left after regaining the 1hp overnight, will you also spend the next day still in the living city, so your magical healers can get you up to full?

FLASHBACK

As the party exits the Tomb, Turel finds himself running over the details of the fight with the bug-like creatures. He thinks, I have not seen those creatures before...perhaps my tribal counselors have heard of such...

Once reaching the Wati library, he tries to discover any pertinent information about the strange bugs.

Knowledge Nature (untrained): 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (18) + 1 = 19

Looking up from one of the tretises he was looking over, he announces "I may have found something here!"

WITH ALERIS

Turel breaks off the gaze with Aleris before the flush on his body has a chance to spread further.

"You are most welcome, Aleris. A family bond is no small matter. Many of my tribe embrace this custom as a practical nature. Life in the desert is a harsh one and cooperation is needed else all suffer and perish." His face breaks out into a rare smile. "A refund? I think asking for a refund is not in the stars for me." With a start he realizes they both have arrived at the Hookah.

He takes her hand gently in his. "Thank you for walking with me Aleris. It was an honor." His mouth quirks up slightly. "Now hurry up. You must not keep Harmose waiting."

As Aleris leaves him, he watches her go silently.

Yes, for better or worse, all our lives are now intertwined. Regardless of my feelings here, the path is now laid forth for me to follow.

Turel reads up on local insects and finds that the ones you battled were giant solifugids, an arachnid species related to spiders and scorpions that is commonly found in dry, arid climates.

Aleris nods thoughtfully. "I'd never really thought of a family as being a 'team', but that makes sense. Teams rely on each other, families rely on each other. And now we're all one and same." She can't help but smile at this thought, and in response to the smile that Turel wore.

It's nice to see Turel smiling for a change. It suits him.

"That's good to know! While I'm some of the other groups are nice enough, where else will you find one as entertaining as we are?" she jokes as they arrive back at the Tooth & Hookah. When Turel takes her hand, she finds that it doesn't bother her at all. "You're welcome, and thank you for walking with me. After everything that's happened today it was good to be away from the others for a little bit and see more of Wati, even if it was just to run errands."

At the mention of Harmose, Aleris offers a nervous smile. "No, I suppose not. Hopefully he and Tuneya were able to make headway on their research this afternoon..." she murmurs as she turns away with a small wave and heads inside, feeling a mixture of trepidation and anticipation.

AFTER A WISE PEPTALK WITH TUNEYA

Harmose runs back to meet Aleris at the Tooth and Hookah, where they finally have their date.

After his date with Aleris ends, Harmose walks her back to the Tooth and Hookah, and then runs to Meehr's house. It's not terribly late, and Meehr always was a night owl.

"Meehr, Meehr! Guess what! I'm in love!"

Relationship Check (Meehr Zet): 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (5) + 9 = 14

Maybe I did wake her up, after all... Oh well. Good thing I'm charming.

Once Turel is alone, he changes into a clean robe and washes his face, ready to meet with Bal Themm. After arriving at her office, he requests the wand be delivered to the Hookah and has a quiet dinner with her.

He confides with her the growing concern he has over the policy to violate the sealed Tombs. "I do not believe any good will come of this. I see no reason why those grave robbers would choose to follow the Three Rules." She can tell he is a bit more distracted than usual.

Relationship Check (Bal Themm): 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (14) - 1 = 13

As her date with Harmose concludes, Aleris waves him on when he readies himself to leave. "I'll head back to the Tooth & Hookah soon," she offers reassuringly. "I've not had a chance to talk with Teht since I moved my things and it looks like now is a good time," she says, noting that the Whispering Stone has quietened down considerably since they first arrived.

Once Harmose is gone, Aleris exhales audibly and approaches the bar where Teht is currently working on cleaning things up for the evening. "Teht! I'm sorry I didn't have a chance to talk to more when we first came in, but as you could see I had um...some company with me. Do you have a few minutes to talk? Don't worry about the mess, I'll help you with it while we catch up."

Relationship Check (Teht Blackblossom): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (1) + 6 = 7

Oh dear, there go those dishes...and that half-full tankard of ale...why so clumsy Aleris? It's almost as if you're distracted or something.

Sooner than expected, Aleris finds herself making her way back towards the Tooth & Hookah. As she walks, her mind keeps replaying the events of the day and she feels as if a lifetime has passed since the group first set out for the Necropolis that morning.

I can't believe I was so clumsy just now...even though I gave Teht the coin to cover the damages, it'll be a wonder if she lets me back through the door anytime soon...

As she reaches the Tooth & Hookah, she sighs aloud, knowing that going straight to bed would be a waste of time. I won't be able to get any sleep in this state. I wonder if Tuneya is still up? Maybe she'll have some more useful advice for me... she ponders as she enters the tavern. Looking around, she's disappointed to see that Tuneya is nowhere to be found...and slightly relieved that Harmose has either not arrived back yet or has already gone to bed. Walking upstairs, she knocks on the door to Tuneya's room but receives no answer.

Drat, she's either not in or she sleeps like the dead...but I need to speak to someone...and not Regina or Camus. Turel. He's the only one besides Tuneya that I feel comfortable taking this to.

Walking to the end of the hallway, she takes a deep breath before softly knocking on the door to Turel's room. "Turel? Are you still awake?"

Turel had returned early from his time with Bal Themm, with much to contemplate on. Her words about the policy concerning the excavation of the buildings in the Necropolis, and also a few tidbits about the other adventuring groups.

Most of the words and details are lost on him, as he finds it difficult to concentrate on her words for some reason. Finally after a simple dinner, he excuses himself pleading exhaustion and returns to the Tooth and Hookah. Seeing the common room empty, he asks for a jug of hot water for his tea and retires to his room.

He feels...very tense...too tense for sleep. Feeling himself wide awake he moves to his mat and sits down in his familiar eagle position. His breathing exercises still do not bring calm.

What is wrong with me... He thinks to himself.

As he sips his tea, thoughts run through his mind, thoughts that refuse to stay ordered...as if whipped on a soft breeze...

Aleris... Her face springs to his mind, unbidden. As he remembers her slender body, her delicate features, her grey eyes...he feels a flush come over his body.

NOoooo...it cannot be...not...

His thoughts are interrupted by a soft knocking on his door, followed by a voice from one who he had only met recently yet one he knew in his soul. He glides quickly to the door and opens it, gazing on Aleris, drinking in her presence.

Trying to keep his voice steady, he nods. "Yes, I am awake. Is there something wrong Aleris?"

Looking relieved as Turel's familiar face appears in the doorway, she quickly replies, "Oh good, I was afraid that you might be asleep. No, there's nothing wrong exactly, but...well, my dinner with Harmose has me feeling a little confused," she admits. "I hadn't planned to bother you with this, but Tuneya seems to either be asleep or still out and about. Would you be willing to talk with me? We can step down to the common room if need be; I didn't see anyone else from our group when I came in a few minutes ago."

Turel stares at Aleris for a few seconds, trying to grasp the situation.

She wishes to speak of Harmose here? I...I do not understand...

Realizing she is still waiting for a response, he starts visibly. "Ohhh, forgive me Aleris. I did not mean to keep you waiting out here." He waves her to enter his room. "Please, come in and have a seat. Would you like some tea?" He says as he guides her to the lone chair in the room.

Once she has a seat and is comfortable, he moves across the room and sits cross-legged on his meditation mat. "Now, my sister, what is on your mind?' He asks.

I pray I have the strength to...answer her questions here.

"Yes, thank you. Tea would be nice," she murmurs as Turel waves her in and offers her the one chair available. Now that she has a willing audience, she finds that the words don't come to her as easily as she expected they would. Taking a deep breath she begins speaking, though she is unable to meet Turel's gaze, staring into the cup of tea in her hands instead.

"Turel...have you...been in very many relationships? I haven't. Not one. And now Harmose, he...I thought he was just interested in the physical, that I could have handled, I've had men make invitations like how Camus did the other day, but..." She finally looks up at Turel, her face flushed. "He wants more than that. And I'm thrilled and terrified at the same time." Realizing that her hands holding the cup are trembling slightly, she closes her eyes and takes another deep breath to steady herself, before slowly opening them again. "He said he was willing to proceed as slowly as I want...he even told me of an ancient courtship ritual that was once in practice here...something about sharing glasses of water? I'm still not sure I completely understand it, but he seemed so earnest...I couldn't say no."

Unable to sit still in her chair, she stands up and begins to pace about the room, the cup still clenched in her hands. "When we were walking earlier today, you spoke of us...the group, as a family. Family...they love each other, look out for each other, right? I...don't know if I l-love Harmose...not in that way, not yet. But I still love him as family and I don't want to hurt him." She stops her pacing and looks at Turel almost pleadingly. "I'm sorry to bring all of this to you at such a late hour, but Tuneya isn't here and I know Regina and Camus won't be of any help. I know you can't give me a woman's perspective, but as...as a man, what would you want if you were in a similar place as Harmose? Is there anything I can do to make things easier for him while I sort out my own feelings?"

Turel watches Aleris pace across the room and tries to keep up with her words. Part of the reason was the rapid pace of her speaking coupled with the breezes stirred up by her pacing.

Her moves are born of the desert breezes...

He slowly rises to his feet once she has finished revealing her thoughts and stretches his arms out to the ceiling, trying to organize this own swirling thoughts and emotions

Harmose offered the sharing of water ritual to her? I am...amazed...

He starts agains as he notices Aleris patiently waiting for a response. Slowly he speaks, "The sharing of water ritual is a... known one among the Garundi clans. It has been used to build camaradrie between a man and a woman...who have been..." Here his voice cracks slightly, bethrothed to one another." He takes a deep breath. And she did not refuse to partake... He feels a rising sense of...what? Disappointment? Anger? He did not know.

Resisting the sudden urge to gather her in his arms, he instead paces the other side of the room. "I...have pledged to you we are now family...my Sister. Your concerns are now my own. I have never participated in such a ritual before, so my advice here is...limited." He finally walks over to her and looks into her grey eyes. "I wish I could offer you better advice , Aleris. The only lesson I have learned in my many travels is to always be true to yourself. Then your answer will appear." He gives her a small smile, a wistful look in his eyes. "Also, be honest with him. He deserves such honesty...always."

He suddenly turns away from her and moves across the room again before turning to face her again. "If you need time to meditate, I have a mat ready for you, should you wish."

As he awaits her reply, the next-to-last question she asked of him lingers in his heart, the question he did NOT answer. Perhaps she will forgive my...omission. I do not know if I can answer that question...or perhaps I am...afraid of doing so.

Though Aleris feels a fresh flush spread across her cheeks as Turel speaks the word 'betrothed', she simply bites her lip as he continues to speak, the words she wants to say held within for the moment. When he is done, she quietly exhales as she tries to process the advice she's just been given.

My concerns are his...we're all a family now...families are...honest and true with each other...they love...family is the first love most of us experience...

Something seems to click in her mind as she smiles in the manner of one that realizes that they've overlooked something obvious. "Be honest and be true...to yourself and to the ones you love," she laughs softly. "Part of the very core of Lady Shelyn's teachings...the teachings I need to take to heart now, more than ever!" Though still weary, as she speaks she feels something shift within her as though a weight has not been lifted, but has become easier to bear.

Harmose is my family now too...

Rather than take the monk up on his offer of a meditation space, she suddenly crosses the room and gives him a quick, but tight hug before stepping back to gaze at him with an expression of gratitude. "Turel, thank you. Your words were exactly what I needed to hear. Lady Shelyn is with me, with us all...some of us just need to be reminded a little more forcefully than others," she chuckles. "Oh, but it's getting late...I should leave you to your meditations for the evening."

Though she still seems weary, Aleris seems much calmer than she was a few moments ago as she turns to head back to her own room. At the doorway, she pauses and looks back. "Thank you again, Turel. You, Harmose, and the rest have given me something that I hadn't even known that I was longing for - family. And I'll do my best to be honest and true to that family...and with each individual in it. Sleep well, my...Brother," she smiles.

Turel nods in reply to her. "And you sleep well, my...Sister." As she heads back to her room, he watches her close the door behind her and stares at the closed door for a few minutes longer.

He eventually moves back inside, closing his door softly. Moving over to the table, he finishes the last of his tea and sets the cup down gently. He then prepares for sleep, removing his robe and slipping into a loincloth. He slides into his bed and blows out the single candle plunging the room into darkness, save for what moonlight shines through the window.

As he lays in bed awaiting for sleep to claim him, his body clearly remembers the sensation of her slender body pressing against his own. After what seems an eternity he drops into slumber, a smile on his face.

After his conversation with Meehr, Harmose walks home whistling. Okay, so I woke her in the middle of the night... But she didn't seem too angry with me.

Harmose waves to everyone he sees, laughing. When a drunk in the alley asks him what his problem is, Harmose grins. "The very best problem of all! I'm in love!"

It's only when he gets back that he discovers three of his friends had left notes, each recalled back to emergencies from home. The necropolis still awaits them, but they had no team left to explore it.

As he reads their letters, his good mood evaporates. "Well, damn. What do we do with our precious lottery spot now?"

OK let me see what I can do here now that the Kraken is just observing at this point, he he.

Turel rises from his bed early as is his wont, his thoughts of the enchanting sylph still flooding his mind. As he goes through his morning exercises and rituals he endeavors to cleanse his thoughts of her from his mind, with little success.

Ahhh...she is in my mind and refuses to leave...yet my brother has offered her sharing water ritual...I cannot...MUST not interfere...yet I fear it is too late

Knowing any chance of sleep will not arrive now, he finishes donning his robes and heads out of his room downstairs. As he sees Harmose sitting at one of the tables with a dark look on his face hi sheart skips a beat.

Could he KNOW of Aleris and I...No I think this is something else...

He walks over to the brooding man and responds cautiously, "Good morning Harmose, my Brother. You seem troubled...what is the matter?"

Harmose has the rumpled and fatigued look of a man who's been up half the night. Nursing some of Farhaan's coffee, he wordlessly pushes the letters across the table to his friend.

He waits, patiently, while Turel reads.

It is only when Turel finishes the last of the notes that Harmose speaks again. "We've been abandoned. I... talked to Farhaan. Since the group paid through the week, he'll hang on to their rooms if we want to recruit some new members. But how are we going to find anyone of a caliber to replace what we just lost?"

Feeling greatly relieved from her epiphany Aleris sleeps peacefully that night, blissfully unaware of the inner turmoil that she has inspired in one if not two of her fellow companions. When she rises to greet the new day, she can't help but do a small jig around her room as she readies herself, barely able to contain her good cheer.

As she heads down to breakfast, the smile on her face slowly drops as she sees only Harmose and Turel at the breakfast table, both wearing rather grim expressions. "What's wrong?" she asks, her own expression shifting to one of worry as she takes a seat. "Where's everyone else?"

Harmose pushes the letters over to Aleris and gently brings her up to date. "I asked Farhaan to put the word out for us, and put up a couple posters this morning when I couldn't sleep. Are you up for interviewing with me and Turel today? With this many adventurers in Wadi, we'll easily find warm bodies to fill the team." He sighs. "The trick is finding skilled people we can trust."

I knew Wadi liked to enjoy himself, but I had no idea how much! ;)

Aleris sighs as she finishes reading the letters and looks up at her two remaining teammates. "It seems awfully sudden and a bit on the unlikely side, but we'll have to trust that each of these letters speak the truth." She gives them both an encouraging smile. "Don't fret. We'll find people enough, though we have to take personality into account as well as skills. There's no point in having the best trapsmith this side of the Inner Sea on our team if we all wind up wanting to strangle him by lunchtime! Although...if we were able to work with Camus, then I imagine we can work with just about anybody," she finishes, unable to keep from giggling slightly.

"Hmm... You're probably right."

Harmose, a short but well-proportioned man, smiles gently at Aleris. "Let's set up two tables. This large one over here where all the candidates can sit and chat while they wait. We'll be able to see if they can get along with each other as well as with us. And over here, we'll have a smaller table for interviews."

Setting up a signup sheet on the wall, Harmose looks critically once again at his work:

JOIN DISCOVERIES UNLIMITED!!

We have a few openings in our team for skilled people who share our joy of exploration and discovery. We are halfway through exploring our site, the Tomb of Akhentepi. Interested parties can sign up for interviews today at the Tooth and Hookah.

He sighs. "I guess it'll have to do." Ordering some of Farhaan's iced coffee and some lemon-lentil soup with flat bread, Harmose rejoins Aleris and Turel. "Now we'll just have to see who shows up, and what they have to offer."

I figure that we can let those not interviewing yet talk in spoilers marked "Table Chat". Let this interviews begin!

Turel watches silently as Harmose sets up the tables, sipping on his tea with a thoughtful look on his face. "Perhaps we could entice them further by offering them free beverages, should none of the prospects show any interest." As he looks over the other adventurers walking through the tavern, his gaze is drawn to the slender sylph as she also looks over the crowd. He is careful not to let his gaze linger too long.

Polux walks in as the midday sun burns high in the sky - his body protected against the sweltering heat by a loose sand/earth toned garment, covering him almost head to toe. The only visible sign there is someone under all that are his gleaming golden orbs and a slight hint of tanned skin.

Slightly brushing the sand from his travel attire, he stared silently at the room around him, nodding as his eyes met the signed up sheet. A few well placed, solid strides took him across the cool common area to stare at the unassuming piece of paper - "Discoveries unlimited" - he spoke to himself - "Very well then" - and producing a golden writing quill and a flask of purplish ink, he wrote his name down - Polux.

Knowledge (Local) Tomb of Akhentepi: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (7) + 8 = 15

As he turned around to survey the room itself, a few flasks jingled almost imperceptively at his waist, and he immediately took the necessary measures to silence them, carefully wrapping them in cloth protected bags. As if looking for something, he kept staring at those around him for a few moments longer, before finding a place to sit down.

Sense Motive (I wonder if the recruiters are around here somewhere?): 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (13) + 5 = 18

Removing the ornate longspear from his back, he placed it carefully against the wall in close reach - "Red wine - cooled down, and honeyed" - he ordered, placing a couple silver coins on the table. When the beverage arrived, he took a few long drinks, which seemed to bring a smile to his lips - "Perfect" - he smiled at the serving girl - "Do you have a light meal? Boiled chicken with spices, sour cream and garlic? Some broiled, cold potatoes to go with it? And some lettuce maybe?" - he inquired.

"Excuse me, Polux, is it?" Harmose greets the stranger with the gleaming golden eyes. Interesting. I wonder if he's some sort of plane-touched djinn kin? And why does he cover his face indoors?

"Would you care to join us? You're our first interview of the day. You can bring your lunch if you like." His desert robes billowing out, Harmose strides with a confidence rarely seen in short men.

"Please sit. I'm Harmose al-Nefer. These are my friends and colleagues, Turel Garaldo and Aleris Somciel." He gestures gracefully to the pale girl and the desert man sitting at the table. As he does, his sleeve falls to reveal bare arms, covered in ancient Osiriani tattoos.

"Would you like to tell us a bit about yourself and why you wish to explore the Necropolis? You can ask us questions as well, if you like."

As Harmose rises and encourages their first prospect of the day to join them at the table, Aleris studies this new arrival curiously. Her gaze lingers slightly on the man's eyes before quickly looking away.

His clothes peg him as a native to this region, but I've not seen anyone with eyes that color, here or anywhere else that I've been. Interesting!

She offers a friendly smile and her hand as Harmose introduces everyone. A brightly colored tattoo depicting Shelyn's songbird is clearly visible on her right outer wrist as she does. "It's good to meet you. Don't worry too much about being formal even if the questions are; we're actually a pretty relaxed bunch. Or at least we try to be."

Aleris looks like this for description purposes, except in hot weather clothing instead of furs.

As he is introduced Turel extends his hand in greeting as the Garundi are known to do. He keeps his face carefully neutral but the slight widening of his eyes betrays the effect the newcomer's eyes have on him.

Fascinating...

"Greetings. I am Turel. Turel of the Garaldo clan. Your presence honors me." He nods in greeting. Polux sees a dark-skinned man yet carries the mark of long days in the desert upon his body. He wears dark eye makeup (made from kohl), which accentuates his dark blue, almost black eyes. His face is lean and rugged though not especially attractive. His chin juts out while his nose has been broken a couple of times before. A scar is noticeable on the back of his skull, and it looks like he received it fairly recently.

"Excuse me, Polux, is it?" Harmose greets the stranger with the gleaming golden eyes. Interesting. I wonder if he's some sort of plane-touched djinn kin? And why does he cover his face indoors?

As the man approaches him, Polux seems to remain relaxed, but when he is addressed directly, his eyes do dart around the room, looking for others - "That I am" - he replies with a calm, deep voice.

"Would you care to join us? You're our first interview of the day. You can bring your lunch if you like." His desert robes billowing out, Harmose strides with a confidence rarely seen in short men.

"Please sit. I'm Harmose al-Nefer. These are my friends and colleagues, Turel Garaldo and Aleris Somciel." He gestures gracefully to the pale girl and the desert man sitting at the table. As he does, his sleeve falls to reveal bare arms, covered in ancient Osiriani tattoos.

With a sign to the servant, Polux moves off to the stranger's table - "Don't mind if I do" - he smiles, pulling back the cowl that had covered him thus far, showing a slightly disheveled and unruly dark brown colored hair - "I assume you are the ones that put up the sign?"

She offers a friendly smile and her hand as Harmose introduces everyone. A brightly colored tattoo depicting Shelyn's songbird is clearly visible on her right outer wrist as she does. "It's good to meet you. Don't worry too much about being formal even if the questions are; we're actually a pretty relaxed bunch. Or at least we try to be."[/ooc]

Polux picks up Aleris' hand, offering his own in return - "Well met, I am Polux" - then smiles at the relaxed attitude - "I'll remember that"

Polux looks mostly like THIS - though his beard and moustache are not nearly as well maintained :D

"Greetings. I am Turel. Turel of the Garaldo clan. Your presence honors me." He nods in greeting. Polux sees a dark-skinned man yet carries the mark of long days in the desert upon his body. He wears dark eye makeup (made from kohl), which accentuates his dark blue, almost black eyes. His face is lean and rugged though not especially attractive. His chin juts out while his nose has been broken a couple of times before. A scar is noticeable on the back of his skull, and it looks like he received it fairly recently.

The outsider observes the man carefully, nodding his greetings in return - "Well met to you traveler"

I am not sure if by extending your hand you mean to shake hands, but if you do, Polux shakes your hand back ;)

"Would you like to tell us a bit about yourself and why you wish to explore the Necropolis? You can ask us questions as well, if you like."

Sitting down, and again putting his longspear to rest in a nearby place, Polux settles his meal around him, dips a piece of chicken in the strongly seasoned sour cream sauce, then drinks a full glass of the cold, sweet red wine - "I am sorry, my throat is as dry as an old woman's..." - he stops short, and laughs - "It was dry, but not anymore" - putting his drink down.

"I am an explorer of sorts, stuff picked up here and there - lived around Wati for years. Though I can't say I am a local, I know my way around, and can lead others where they may need to go - whether through a crowded street, or a dark tunnel" - he winks - "As for going into the Necropolis... A long time ago I was told my blood held some of the ancient pharaohs' in it" - he smiles widely - "The Necropolis seems like a good place to start poking around for some truth in all of that as much as any other, wouldn't you say?"

The tiefling wanders in a bit late, as usual for her. She briefly greeted Farhaan, speaking to him in a quiet voice that no one else in the bar could overhear. Onlookers could see tha man nods in the general direction of the interviewers before the discussion ended.

She picked her way through the inn and moved to the sign up wall. In handsome block penmanship, she puts her name on the list, her long lace gloves grasping the quill.

She turns to the others, and sees a current conversation was happening, so she takes a spot at the other table for the time being. As she grew closer, her prominent horns became much more noticeable She was wearing leather armor, but she didn't carry much in the way of weapons. At first glance, it wasn't clear exactly what she could add to a group of adventure seekers.