Mummy's Mask

Game Master Samy

Tuneya sighs at Camus and then looks to him.

"Yes. A god of death. Ancient Osirion had a few of those. And I don't know about you, but I would rather not tick off an ancient deity that was worshiped everywhere." She then turns her eyes back to the people announcing tickets. "Osirion is a land of old magics and old gods. When I was being taught about archaeology, one of the things my instructor always liked to remind us of is that no longer worshiped does not mean dead or powerless. As Harmose aptly demonstrates by simply being alive. And we are about to tread paths not walked by modern gods. So it would be wise to respect the ancient powers. They may be watching, and may not respond well to active disrespect of them within their halls."

She frowns. "Besides, even if you do not believe in them, those who constructed these tombs did. And their magic was structured around it. You never know whether or not a tomb might enforce respect with killer spells."

Harmose looks at Tuneya with gratitude in his eyes. "Thank you, Tuneya. But as I just said to Camus, Horus is not a death god. Merely a resurrected one."

"I'm sorry I snapped." He sighed. "I do see our choice of tokens as a sign of good things to come. Can we all accept this as a lucky omen, whatever our personal beliefs?"

Reassuming his formerly courtly manner, Harmose hands the token back to Regina. "I believe that you were holding this for us?"

Harmose does not have Knowledge Religion, but I think it is okay to roleplay him as knowing something about the god he worships!

When Harmose mentioned the ancient god Horus, Turel grew quiet and his gaze grew distant, as if remembering a recent painful memory. When Tuneya mentions the old Osirian Gods, he nods in agreement. "Yes Camus. The old gods do have a presence in this land, though it must be looked for. I have...heard such voices before and I would never discount the source of them. Voices have a powerful impact on one's soul."

"Imaginary....Camus, do you mean that you don't believe the gods exist?" the sylph woman queries, regarding Camus with a mixture of surprise, sadness, and maybe even a little pity. "Or just that you believe they exist but don't hold any faith in them?"

I'm not even sure which would be worse.

-Posted with Wayfinder

Harmose blinks at Turel with surprise. The man has hidden depths.

"You've also heard the voices? Turel... May I ask which one of the old ones spoke to you?" Harmose asks, softly.

Turel looks at Harmose with an uncertain look on his face. "I...I do not know. It may have been one of the Old Osirin gods who spoke to me, yet they have not answered my questions. Perhaps it was a demon...imprisoned all these years." He wipes his face with the golden scarf he received from Harmose. "That question is what consumes my thoughts."

"A demon? I don't think so," Harmose says, shaking his head.

Dare I tell him what happened to the child I was, so many years ago?

"The voices of demons can be very pleasant. They ask you to do not what is right, but what is easy. They tempt you with what you most desire, but then turn everything you touch to dust. Gods are different. They give you questions rather than answers. They dare you to make your own mind."

Harmose shudders a bit, remembering. Horus had been so fierce. I can still hear his voice asking, "Are you even worth saving?"

"With gods, there are no easy paths." Harmose puts a hand on the tribesman's shoulder. "Have your voices asked you to take one? Or did they demand more from you?"

Turel reflects for a moment before responding, "No the voice was cryptic to me. It said to "Come and a vision of a...place filled my head. I...went there but the voice did not say anything further." He sighs heavily. "I journeyed to Wati looking for answers yet they have eluded me. Still from what you have told me..." A small smile crosses his face. "That does NOT sound like a demon trying to barter for my soul."

Harmose nods.

And then seeing the whole group staring at him and Turel, he decides that it is time to change the subject.

"Let me tell you what I found out from the Sand Scorpions today..." Harmose leaves nothing out, and especially plays up Wenet's part as the cute little lost rabbit.

"I've been thinking though... With so many thieves and underworld types as part of that group, I'm wondering if they'll confine themselves to their assigned sector. It may not only be ghouls and haunts we have to watch out for in the Necropolis."

"I...hadn't thought about that," Aleris says, slowly. "I hope you're wrong though, and not just because I'd like to avoid coming to blows with anyone. I'd also rather not have think of these other groups as potential enemies; it puts a sour taste in my mouth."

-Posted with Wayfinder

You've been there about half an hour since the lottery started, and there has been about a dozen groups ahead of you, before the hawk token finally gets called up. Who do you send up the stairs?

Camus throws his arms up in the air while looking at Harmose
"Ok sorry dad, ill try to keep my mouth shut about those aspects, seem I hit a nerve there..." Camus face feeling uneasy

The he directs at Aleris

"Now there I know there is always a logical explanation of everything, but even if it wasn't one cannot confirm everything. So basically I only believe on what I see and sometimes not even that. Mirages exist neh"

Camus makes a circle in the air with his hand while closing his eyes thinking.

"Im not very fond of religion in general, I have many reasons for that, but I will try to respect your beliefs for the sake of sanity"

Crosses his arms and opens his eyes with determination

"But dont expect me to hope on the "gods-are-a-good-sign-train" now"

Tuneya nods to what Camus says.

I should be careful how I talk about it near him. I don't want to make him uncomfortable.

As soon as the Hawk token gets called, she looks to Harmose, one foot forward as if ready to step up. At the same time, she does not move without group consensus and will smile and supportingly pat someone else if they get chosen.

Turel glances at the others as the Hawk token is selected. He shakes his head slightly as he takes the token and strides up the stairs.

I just don't want this to drag on, he he.

Turel walks up with the hawk token, and once he's up at the table with the two urns, the acolyte pulls out a beetle token. Turel is guided to the second acolyte, who gives him a map and some instructions written on a scroll that basically reiterate the Three Rules. Then he is ushered to return down the stairs to his group.

The site assigned to Discovery Unlimited is called the Tomb of Akhentepi. It is item 23 on the numbered map of Wati available on the Google Drive. Beyond the name and location that you have been given, the church has not supplied you with any further information regarding the site. More about the site can be researched, but not at the Sunburst Market. All that remains for you here now is to watch the rest of the lottery to find out what sites other groups are assigned, if you desire that information. Otherwise, your part at the market is done.

The Necropolis will open at sunrise tomorrow, so you have the rest of the day to prepare. It is only approaching noon so far. The rest of the day would be ideal to commune with your contacts, commune with the other groups, research the site or obtain additional equipment. Or other things I may not have thought of.

Turel shows the map to the rest of the party. "The Tomb of Akhentepi? The name means nothing to me. I believe it would be a good idea to research that name before we head into the tomb. I will check with Bal Themm as well, maybe she knows something of this place."

As the lottery resumes, Turel glances at the other groups waiting for their assignments. "We should wait to see what other sites are assigned to the other groups. That may prove useful later."

Turel can check with his contact Bal Themm once the lottery is finished. Tuneya and Aleris can research the history of the Tomb, while Camus and Harmose check with their contacts or the other groups. These are of course suggestions :)

Untrained Sense Motive (What's bothering Regina?): 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 1 = 18

Harmose whispers in Regina's ear as Turel goes up to the podium, "Look at how proud he is to be representing us. The first gift of a great leader is delegation, and you delegated the task beautifully."

GM Samy, how long do we estimate the rest of the selection would take? If it is just an hour or so, we could either watch or designate one of us to take notes. If we estimate that it will be longer than that, than we'd be better off purchasing a copy of the final list off of one of the Pharasma clerks.

When Turel returns with our assignment, Harmose says thoughtfully, "I am little good at book research or combing through records. What I am good at is people; finding the right people to ask questions of, and getting answers that way."

"I completely agree that we need to find out more about this Tomb. That should be our first priority. The Pharasma priestess, Bal Themm, is an excellent choice for you. Do any of the rest of you know anything about it or have anyone you can think to ask?"

Can we roll untrained knowledges for this Samy, or is it trained ones only?

"If we can find information about the tomb quickly, then I wouldn't mind investigating a couple of the other adventuring groups, and checking in with my best friend in town (Meehr Zet, of course!)"

__

Diplomacy (Gather Information): 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (12) + 9 = 21

Stuff about the lottery process -- how long will it take, if lists can be purchased of which groups get which assignments.

Diplomacy (Gather Information): 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (17) + 9 = 26

Questions about the Tomb of Akhentepi. History? Anything noticed by the patrols?

Diplomacy (Gather Information): 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (3) + 9 = 12

Does Meehr Zet know anyone through her myriad contacts that we can ask about the Tomb? Will she be throwing a party sometime this week that I can shamelessly invite friends to?

Diplomacy (Friendship Stuff -- Meehr Zet): 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (9) + 9 = 18

Is she as excited as I am about me going in to the Necropolis? Did my letter of the previous evening make her laugh?
___

That looks like it may be a full day of information gathering right there for me.

This becomes even longer if some of our answers generate a shopping list for us. If you think that each roll is only an hour or so of work, then I'd love to talk to some of the other adventuring groups that we've got left. I'm sure some of them will be in the Tooth and Hookah, and in a celebratory mood!

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4

Tuneya is completely oblivious to Regina's feelings on the subject. It seems the archaeologist has not taken Knowledge(compassion) and may need training.

Knowledge(history): 1d20 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (11) + 6 + 1 = 18
Knowledge(local): 1d20 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (9) + 6 + 1 = 16

"It would be a good idea to ask around a bit. But..."

Tuneya takes a bit to try to remember anything she might have heard about the site, sharing anything that comes to mind as it does. Then, when she's done, she looks to the others.

"And hopefully we can quickly find some accurate information beyond what I know."

Then, while Harmose is off gathering information, she offers her arms to Regina and Aleris so the two can double-check their supplies with her and pick up any extras, if they want.

Oh... And just in case this has any relevance...

Knowledge (Arcana): 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (10) + 5 = 15

Harmose wonders if he ever heard of anything arcane concerning that tomb.

As Camus offers a surprisingly reasonable explanation for his views concerning the gods, or lack of, Aleris momentarily looks as if she wants to say something but seems to think better of it, simply nodding, "Fair enough."

Badgering people isn't Shelyn's way...all I can do is do my best to be a good example for others...

***********************************

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (7) + 8 = 15

Aleris gives Regina a consoling pat on the shoulder. "For what it's worth, I was about to suggest that you or Harmose step up to accept our assignment. On the bright side, it's a beautiful thing to see someone take the initiative, especially if they're not used to it."

***********************************

As the group discusses what to do next, Aleris shifts uncomfortably. Not being a native to the area and history having never been a strength of hers, she's beginning to feel a little useless. "If we need to consult the history books, I can tag along to help whoever wants to tackle it. Learning from a book never held a great deal of interest for me so I don't know how much help I'll be, but I'll do my best. Other than that..." she shrugs. "Maybe Teht Blackblossom over at the Whispering Stone might have some information about the other groups and other things relating to the lottery. She seemed to take a liking to me the first time I stopped by, so she might be willing to share anything she's heard."

Duration: You expect that the rest of the selection process would take roughly an hour. It was about half an hour until you came up, and you estimate that at that point, about a third of the groups was done. I will thus assume that you keep hanging around for the remainder of the process, and disperse when the proceedings are over.

Untrained: For information regarding the Tomb of Akhentepi, only trained Knowledges will be useful (History, Local or Nobility), as the DCs are higher than 10.

Lists: Lists of the adventuring groups are not available for purchase. The church would normally find such a request suspicious, as they don't expect information-gathering about rival groups to be used for anything other than interfering. However, due to Harmose's excellent Diplomacy roll, he smoothly extricates himself from the situation without any suspicion aroused.

History: Though Harmose rolls excellently with his information-gathering, it runs into a dead end because there aren't very many people around who know much about the tomb. Asking around seems fruitless for this endeavor, at least for now. Similarly, there is no arcane knowledge that seems relevant about the tomb. These particular skills turn up nothing regardless of the roll.

History: Tuneya recalls that Akhentepi was a military commander from before the Plague of Madness, and his tomb would likely have been finished and sealed before the time of the plague. Being constructed in a more peaceful time, and not amidst the chaos of the plague, might mean that plans for the tomb likely existed once upon a time. With her local knowledge, Tuneya can make a reasonable guess that if such plans (or copies thereof) had somehow survived these thousands of years of the passage of time, they would likely be in some official archives, or in the possession of some collector of antiquities.

Meehr Zet: She is not planning on throwing a party in the next few days, but if Harmose expresses interest in throwing a party, she would enthusiastically latch on to the idea. The preparations would take over a week, however. She is not excited about the trip to the Necropolis, as she imagines it will be horribly dusty and potentially dangerous. She would even try to discourage Harmose from such a reckless endeavor. Harmose's letter however did make her laugh.

I have about a 5% chance of beating Tuneya's most excellent information gathering skillz.

Knowledge, Nobility: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (10) + 0 = 10
Knowledge, Religion: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (13) + 0 = 13

Not this time.

On the off chance this is useful,
Knowledge, Engineering: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (13) + 0 = 13
Knowledge, History: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (7) + 0 = 7

Darlings, I simply must get my beauty sleep. Good night, my dears.

Unless someone suggests a task she can be useful at, Regina retires for the evening so she can rise early enough to pray for spells and be properly prepared with the right pretty-pretties under her armor.

Turel nods to the Osirioni woman in reply. "Good night Regina, sleep well."

How odd she retires earlier than most people I know...

"Should no one need me, I shall talk with Bal Themm briefly. I hope she does have additional insight as to the Tomb we are about to explore. I do not foresee this taking long as I am sure she is tired from dealing with today's events." He gives the others a small smile and heads off to find her.

Diplomacy check (Bal Themm relationship): 1d20 ⇒ 20

Apparently Bal Themm really had a BAD day, thus her need for a shoulder to cry on...

Bow-chikka-wow-wow...

Dears.

GM Samy, it sounds like there is a little time left to do some evening research?

Before Aleris and Regina retire for the night, Harmose says, "Actually ladies, I do have a use for the two of you. While I plan to retire early tonight, I was thinking that the three of us could visit with some of the celebrating teams at dinner time? We know nothing of the Scorched Hand or the Dog Soldiers, and we might even be able to say hello again to your friends from the Daughters of the Desert."

He looks over at his other friends.

"Turel is going to be busy with his contacts at the Pharasma Church, and Camus..."

...needs to be kept on a tight leash.

No, Harmose, don't even think about that image. Crap, too late.

"... Well, I think we all agree that his skills lie in other directions?" Harmose continues, if only to distract himself. "Tuneya would be good company for this too, but she may have to do research?"

"With lovely ladies like you by my side, I think that we could join just about any group and find out a wee bit about them?" He then smiles. "I'll admit an ulterior motive here. This will also give me another hour or so spent in your charming company before we have to worry about things like ghouls."

They are both really pretty, aren't they? And brainy too.

Nope, teammates. Don't go there, Harmose.

"Are you ladies interested?"

You could both aid my diplomacy rolls. Aid another is only a DC10, and would give a +2 to my result, which could prove helpful...

GM Samy, I will go back in time to fill in my conversation with Meehr Zet a bit more, but for now... It's time to get my kids up and moving towards school.

Back to Harmose's conversation with Meehr Zet. Let's do the Time Warp again...

Meehr Zet: She is not planning on throwing a party in the next few days, but if Harmose expresses interest in throwing a party, she would enthusiastically latch on to the idea. The preparations would take over a week, however.

Harmose raises an eyebrow. "A week?"

"Oh! He gives himself a head slap. "Of course... With your political aspirations, and everything going on with the reopening of Necropolis... You must be booked solid with events, poor thing. Silly me for not thinking of that."

He takes her hand. "I'll be happy to take a party whenever you can offer it, Meehr. Just let me know when, so I can let my team know."

She is not excited about the trip to the Necropolis, as she imagines it will be horribly dusty and potentially dangerous. She would even try to discourage Harmose from such a reckless endeavor.

"Oh, Meehr! What would you have me be, instead? Another down-on-his-luck noble? All I'm good for currently is being decorative and diverting at dinner. Meehr, I need more than that. You know I do. I can't marry some poor heiress and make her miserable just to save my skin. I need to forge a better, truer path for myself and find some answers."

Then he grins. "As for dust, there's always this!" He prestidigitates her table top clean of dust. "You know... If the tomb-raiding gig falls through, I suppose I could always get a job as a janitor."

Harmose's letter however did make her laugh.

"I'm so glad. Otherwise, what good would I be you?" And then he thinks a moment. "Oh... About Mr. Delectable... My crush is officially over! Do you know what he said about Horus?"

Harmose diverts Meehr with both the story of Camus' s most recent antics and also about his encounter with the Sand Scorpions.

"At least you're honest," Aleris chuckles when Harmose admits to ulterior motives. "It sounds like fun so count me in. I don't think I could go sleep this early even if I tried; there's just too much to think about for tomorrow!"

-Posted with Wayfinder

"Actually ladies, I do have a use for the two of you too"[b]Camus grins[b]"but it may not be the time for that

Camus then directs towards harmose while rubbing his chin... thinking..

"I do have a contact close to the church of pharasma, I may try to find her but it doesnt look like I will find her soon, last time I looked for her she was nowhere to be seen"

If i look for her will i find her or shes just somewhere else? I will roll just in case

Perception: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (12) + 4 = 16

Maybe Kema just wasn't at the market. I'm sure you'll find your special contact!
______________________

Harmose raises an eyebrow at Camus. "You never pause to think before speaking, do you? It's quite remarkable."

He turns back to the ladies, shaking his head. "We're not all like that."

At least, I hope I'm not...

"Camus, if you have a friend working for the church, you should go seek her out. She would probably be glad to hear that you're back in town."

Then again, maybe she'll run him out of town on a rail...

Harmose turns to the ladies. "Shall we seek out our fellow adventurers?"

Tuneya makes a face at having to do research. "That's the one part I hated of my time as a student! Always research! I swear, some days it felt like I spent more days in the library than studying artifacts."

She then sighs. "Besides, if it's in a private collection, I'm going to need someone to talk to the owner. It's not my strength."

She considers for just a moment. "Shall we meet back at our tavern in time for dinner? I'll check the local archives. If I find nothing, we may have to start asking around."

She turns to head off to the archives, secretly hoping she doesn't have to talk her way in.

Could roll Perception for the search, or Knowledge(history) using the archive itself as a bonus?

Harmose, Regina and Aleris start visiting with the other adventuring teams that evening.

I'll be filling in with roleplay in a later post, but work calls so I'm cutting this post short for now. Don't worry, I never just do the rolls.

_____________________________

Diplomacy, Gather Information: Scorched Hand: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (10) + 9 = 19

Diplomacy, Gather Information: Dog Soldiers: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (17) + 9 = 26

Diplomacy, Gather Information: Daughters of the Desert: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (14) + 9 = 23

Not that you need it with that gorgeous face, but...

Diplomacy, Aid Another, SH: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (12) + 3 = 15
Diplomacy, Aid Another, DS: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7
Diplomacy, Aid Another, DotD: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (11) + 3 = 14

Diplomacy (Aid Another: SH): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (13) + 6 = 19
Diplomacy (Aid Another: DS): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (12) + 6 = 18
Diplomacy (Aid Another: DotD): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (1) + 6 = 7

Doing a wonky work shift today/tonight but I'll try and get some actual RP in later if I can.

-Posted with Wayfinder

Before they approach the Scorched Hand, Harmose turns to Aleris and Regina. "This group is rumored to be devout followers of Nethys, led by a Taldan noblewoman. I met a few Taldan nobles at Court in Sothis -- they were terrible snobs. I'm hoping this one is a little better than the ones that I met. We can always hope." He gives the ladies a sly smile. "Not all aristocrats are jerks, but we have to prepare for the possibility."

"As for Nethys, I know little other than their deity appreciates magic. If I pass you my glass, can one of you refill it -- magically, I mean?"

Harmose prestidigitates his robe to deepen its color and add a bit of sparkle.

Deep breath, Harmose. Act the role of the exotic local noble. Wear this bedsheet with style.

Casting mage hand, he floats his drink in the air before him, and flashes his best smile. "Greetings! I am Sirdar Harmose Al-Nefer, and these are my associates, Regina dei Dannati and Aleris Somciel."

He pauses a moment to let the Taldan woman absorb his introduction. Yes, I have a title too. See? One of the club.

"We're from Discoveries Unlimited, and we're hoping to meet some of the fellow scholars studying the Necropolis ruins."

"I must say that it is a pleasure to make all of your acquaintances!"

_____________________
This may be the first time that Aleris and Regina have actually heard Harmose's title. I don't even think he's mentioned that he was an aristocrat to them yet.

"You never pause to think before speaking, do you? It's quite remarkable."

Hrmmmm.Camus scratches his butt, hen his head. Stares blankly at Harmose. Big smile, arms crossed Nope. :D

He turns back to the ladies, shaking his head. "We're not all like that."

time of sense motive at at Harmose "preferences"!

good thng camus is not there , hes not fond of aristocrats...In the meantime camus is looking for kema

Opposed skill check

Untrained Bluff: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (17) + 5 = 22

Harmose's "preferences" remain mysterious, as always.

_________
Eventually you'll catch me, and then what will you do?

I guess it depends on when he does discover it, but in general i guess camus will make fun of him lol

I am going to let the ladies fill in with what they say to the Scorched Hand in order to aid my diplomacy... Meanwhile, next group!

After they spot the Dog Soldiers, Harmose says to his friends, "I haven't met many halflings, but I hear they're usually personable. Should we play this straight and just be our normal charming selves?"

Harmose walks up to the group and says, "Hello, Strangers! My name's Harmose, and these are my friends Aleris and Regina. We're from Discoveries Unlimited. We thought it would be fun to meet some of the other groups exploring the Necropolis tonight."

Then Harmose stops and admires the dogs. "Are those your dogs? They look fierce, but they really are fine creatures, aren't they?"

Harmose leaves Wenet as a tattoo for this encounter.

Regina finds it odd to have more than one person making introductions, so she plans to reply with "Lovely to meet you, my dears" and similar niceties in response to the group's reply.

Before they approach the Daughters of the Desert, Harmose says to Aleris, "Since you've met this group before, you'll need to introduce Regina and myself."

Perhaps the women would act easier around me if I appeared to be part of a couple? Regina would likely relish the ruse, Harmose muses. No, that won't work. Aleris has an open face and an honest manner. She doesn't have the inclination to be a liar. Don't try to make her one.

Then Harmose laughs at himself as the answer comes to him about how to get the Daughters of the Desert talking to him. He pulls his rabbit into his arms and cuddles her close. "Can you also introduce Wenet? They seem like nice people and she loves the attention."

The Scorched Hand

"As for Nethys, I know little other than their deity appreciates magic. If I pass you my glass, can one of you refill it -- magically, I mean?"

"I'm not a magician," Aleris whispers, sounding amused. "But you're right, magic for magic's sake is Nethys' mantra."

"Greetings! I am Sirdar Harmose Al-Nefer, and these are my associates, Regina dei Dannati and Aleris Somciel."

Aleris raises an eyebrow at the sudden addition to Harmose' name, but says nothing, assuming he has a reason for adding it. "It's a pleasure to meet you," Aleris smiles as she's introduced. "With so many different people from different walks of life here for the lottery, we couldn't help but try to meet a few and maybe even swap stories. Are you here to study the ruins as well?"

***************************************************

Dog Soldiers

"I haven't met many halflings, but I hear they're usually personable. Should we play this straight and just be our normal charming selves?"

"There's always a few rotten apples in every bunch but yes, most halflings are decent folk and make for good companions," the sylph says quietly.

"It's a pleasure to meet you," she says, smiling cheerfully. "Like Harmose said, a few of us couldn't resist mingling with some of the other lottery participants, especially since every group and every person within it seems to have a different story to tell for why they're here in Wati. If you've got the time and feel amiable to it, maybe we could swap stories?"

***************************************************

Daughters of the Desert

"Since you've met this group before, you'll need to introduce Regina and myself."

"I think I can handle that," Aleris says as she makes her way over to the table where the Daughters are enjoying their drinks. "Hello again! My friends and I couldn't help but visit a little more with some of the other groups before the big day tomorrow! This is Harmose and this is Regina," she says, indicating each of them in turn. "Oh! And the most important member of our group - Wenet," she adds with a laugh, indicating the small rabbit in Harmose' arms. "Care to share a drink and maybe even trade tales if you've got the time?"

She then sighs. "Besides, if it's in a private collection, I'm going to need someone to talk to the owner. It's not my strength."

She considers for just a moment. "Shall we meet back at our tavern in time for dinner? I'll check the local archives. If I find nothing, we may have to start asking around."

How did I miss this the first time around? Sorry, must have been distracted.

"Yes, let's meet up. And... if you really need someone to talk to the owner, I would be glad to help, Tuneya. Though from what I've seen so far, you are quite talented in that area and far too modest about your people skills."

************************************
And much later, after the group is done talking with talking with the Scorched Hand...

Aleris raises an eyebrow at the sudden addition to Harmose's name

"Aleris, what was that raised eyebrow for? Did I go overboard with the whole sparkles and floating cup?"

"Aleris, what was that raised eyebrow for? Did I go overboard with the whole sparkles and floating cup?"

"Well no, but I noticed you introduced yourself as Sirdar Harmose Al-Nefer that time. Does that mean anything or was it part of the show along with the sparkles and floating cup?"

"Oh... that."

"There's an old Orsiriani saying*, 'For every lock there are multiple keys.' I guess you can say that Sirdar is one of mine." Harmose pauses a moment, then continues. "It's a title... mine, actually. I don't know how much you know about Orsiriani aristocracy, but I was told by a Taldor noble that is roughly equivalent to what they call a... Count?"

He looks a bit embarrassed. "Understand, I did nothing to earn it. It's just something that I was born with. However, like a key, I sometimes take it out of my pocket and use it to open doors."

______________
* That I just made up on the spot.

Well, that at least partly explains why he has such a way with words.

Aleris nods once Harmose finishes his explanation. "I think I understand. Even though I know I was just talking about everyone here for the lottery having their own unique story, I do have to admit that I'm a little surprised that a member of the aristocracy would be interested in exploring tombs. But I suppose it's part of who we are to seek answers, from peasants to kings and everyone in-between." She then offers an encouraging smile. "And there's nothing wrong with making use of what tools and advantages life sees fit to give us; it's what you use them for that matters, not that you use them to begin with."

"No one expects an aristocrat to be digging in tombs." He grins. "I've always taken pleasure in defying everyone's expectations of me."

"Most people get only one precious chance at life, and they squander it." Harmose swallows and momentarily looks at a loss for words.

Then he meets Aleris's steadfast gaze with his own. "I'm already on my second chance, so I am going to wring every moment of joy and discovery out of it that I can."

Harmose glances at Regina, who had been silently accompanying them, but saying nothing.

What is your story, Regina? Are you, like me, an aristocrat seeking a different path for yourself? And from where? What secrets are hiding behind that lovely face of yours?

"As for not using my noble title... Well, it's easier sometimes to have a real conversation with someone who isn't bowing to you. A title is dangerous, as far as tools go. Use it too much and you start adopting the privileged mindset that goes with it."

"I don't mind using tools," he said with an upward quirk of his lips. "I just don't want to become one."

Turel spends the afternoon with his acquaintance Bal Themm, a cleric of Pharasma, much of it spent walking around inside the Grand Mausoleum, helping her carry some books from one place to another, briefly meeting some of the other clergy, and then going outside among the common folk to watch Bal Themm perform some blessings at a local hospital. Turel gets a basic feel for the interior of Pharasma's temple and some of the staff there, should it become relevant in the future. He tries to find out if Bal or anyone else he meets at the temple can share any information about the Tomb of Akhentepi, and the two of them make a trip down into the oldest part of the Grand Mausoleum's archives, several floors belowground. The two of them spend an hour or so down there, going through some boxes of ancient papers. It's dark and dry in the archives, lit by magical rods that shed light but no flame, for parchment safety reasons. Bal Themm cautions Turel to be extremely careful, for much of the material is incredibly fragile. In fact, she insists on doing most of the delicate handling, while instructing him which boxes to go and bring over to her.

Turel may make one Perception roll to try and find something. He must also make a Reflex save to avoid an accident with the ancient materials, and a Fortitude save against all the dust in the archives.

Tuneya goes to work on doing some heavy research, visiting the various archives in the city, both religious and secular. The temple of Pharasma, the Grand Mausoleum (8 on the numbered map) has one of the biggest archives, but the one at Abadar's temple, the Sanctum of Silver and Gold (16) is also significant. She also takes a brief trip to the Morning Sun noble district to visit the House of the Pharaoh (11), which is the pharaoh's personal estate in the city and the nonreligious bureaucratic center of Wati. It's lonely work, poring over papers and trying to understand the disparate filing systems each archive uses, for there isn't any kind of unified system. It probably takes her half an hour at each place just to get a feel for where to start looking for stuff.

Tuneya must make a Diplomacy roll DC 15 for each of the three archives she visits (the Grand Mausoleum, the Sanctum of Silver and Gold, and the House of the Pharaoh), to see how much access she is allowed, and how helpful the staff is. She may then make another Knowledge (history) roll, and another Knowledge (local) roll, to which she will receive a +2 bonus if she succeeds at the Diplomacy at one archive, +4 if she succeeds at two archives, and +6 if at all three.

After leaving the lottery, Camus manages to track down Kema, who was indeed not at the Sunburst Market during the event. He finds her at the Grand Mausoleum, so both Camus and Turel are inside Pharasma's temple at some time during the afternoon, although they don't run into each other there, as the temple is fairly huge. Kema has turned more serious over the years. She used to be much more fun, or at least that's how Camus seems to remember it. Maybe it's just the coloring of old memories. But now, she just seems to serious. And intense. Did I mention serious? Most of the time with a frowny face, and with a lot of concerns, and seeming in some ways like she is carrying the weight of the world on her shoulders. Upon finding out that Camus is part of the group that was assigned to the Tomb of Akhentepi, she requests if he would keep an eye out for Slippery Sorq, a half-elf with a sun tattoo in the back of the neck. "I have reason to suspect that Sorq was hoping to loot a tomb in that general area before you authorized tomb robbers were let in." From the way she says it, it's clearly not a joke, and she has great distaste for the decision to open up the Necropolis, though it's not aimed at Camus personally.

Camus discovers a side quest for finding the body of Slippery Sorq. He may also, if he chooses to, make an optional Diplomacy roll to try to convince Kema that opening up the Necropolis is a good idea (DC difficult). This is separate from the daily contact relationship roll, which I will call for later.

Next up, the trio who are going to meet the other adventuring groups, but I'll post this now, so the first three people can start responding to the above stuff.

Turel is not much for spending time in old dusty buildings yet the time he spent here in the Grand Mausoleum is strangely peaceful and relaxing for him. He figured part of it was being close to Bal Themm, and also being away from those two women whom he found both strangely attractive, for different reasons as one was light as air, Aleris and the other dark and mysterious, both enchanting and repelling at the same time. Regina.

Perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (1) + 7 = 8
Reflex save: 1d20 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 4 + 1 = 8 Blessed trait.
Fortitude save: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 2 = 21

Perhaps because of the thoughts plaguing his mind, he is of little help with Bal Themm's search for information. Indeed he is more of a hindrance it seems.