"I understand where you're coming from, but the law is the law. We have to trust the government and the church to do the right thing. I'm sure that once we explain the situation, they will apply a minimum sentence to these two."
Irakelesh again turns to the prisoners. "We are still waiting for answers. While I'm a pretty patient guy, I know from experience that some of the others here are not."
The man shakes his head when Irakelesh shuts down the others wanting to set them free. "If you are not willing to show us this kindness, I have no interest in sharing any information with you. Take us to the authorities if that is your wish..."
"Why should we show you kindness you openly attacked us for no reason but that your leader said we were trespassing despite the Ruby Pharaoh sanctioning this and us drawing this local." Aliva says "How about you tell us something then we go from there?" Aliva puts her Morning Star away and pulls out some bandages tending to her own wounds.
The cleric is adamant that he will not talk unless you at least agree to set his companion free. The other man seems to just be watching the situation unfold.
"I'm not one to hold a grudge and I believe in treating others better than I expect in return. If they'll swear an oath before the gods that they'll do no harm to us in the future and share their leaders plans truthfully, I would vote to set them both free."
"That makes sense to me. I mean, if they swear an oath then that's just as binding as any law. Aliva? Ai'sha? What do you think? G'nock and Haji? Do you have any think to say?"
"I agree. A man's word is binding."
"Sound fair to me."
"Even if I was to say no I am out voted, Your friend may go free. If you tell us something useful you could as well." Aliva says
When the group agrees to at least let the caster go the man starts to talk and relates anything he thinks you might be looking for. He starts by noting that their group was comprised of devout followers of Nethys. He and Azaz had known each other from before, but had met Valriana in Absolem where she had told them about the necropolis being opened in Wati. Everything had been fine until they heard of the Sanctum of the Erudite Eye an holy site of Netyhs in the necropolis.
Valriana convinced the group that as devout followers of Nethys it was their right and duty to explore the temple regardless of the consequences. They had made their way through the entirety of the temple, but say signs of another group passing. They didn't know it was you until you were going to leave but Valriana had worked up the group to think you would defile the temple if left to your own devices.
When she called out to you, you reacted with hostility and their group responded in kind. He wished there could have been a diplomatic solution but cooler heads did not prevail and he wasn't about to let his people go down without trying to protect them.
Irakelesh emits a short laugh when the man says that they wanted a diplomatic resolution. "I seem to recall that you attacked us first, or at least threatened us." He points to the other room. "Was one of those women Valriana?"
The mans shrugs to Irakelesh's first statement but nods toward the female caster further in the room "That was Valriana."
"Ok. So if you guys were in here first, what did you find? By rights of the lottery, that belongs to us."
Seeing that all of them had been stripped of any valuables he simply notes "You have anything we found."
"We will let you go, you can come with us back to the gate then you can find your ways home I guess. This way we don't lave 2 of you to defend yourselves on the way back. Did you hire the locals to attack us as well?" Aliva says thinking back to the day before.
The man nods "Velriana had hired a gang of Wati street thugs
to stop any other groups from interrupting us while inside the Sanctum."
"I see, well it was all her. I guess if we leave her buried here then she can be with her God." Aliva says leaning against a pillar.
The man hesitates after Aliva's words but then asks "Would you allow me a moment to giver her rites before we depart?"
Assuming no one disagrees the man gives each of the bodies a quick prayer to Nethys, he will ask if he can have their holy symbols to bury with them but understands if you do not grant his request. The two men will follow you back to town as agreed and go their separate way from you when you reach the safety of the town proper.
"You may yes, once you are ready let us know and we will head out." Aliva says gathering items up to help with carrying back.
Irakelesh watches the two men shamble off down the streets of Wati then turns back to the group. "Well, that was interesting, wasn't it? That woman, Valriana, I think Fitless talked with her back at the Tooth a few days ago." Irakelesh stops in his tracks and raises a finger in the air with an exclamation. "Ah ha! Yes! That's it. Remember, Fitless told us she was looking for something called the temple of the Erudite Eye? That was exactly where we just were. I can't believe I didn't put the two together before now."
Irakelesh moves his hand to hold his chin while he thinks. "You know, it's a shame that that had to end that way." He nods his head back towards the dead city. "It would have been great to talk to that purple hat lady to find out what she wanted with the temple. Why it was so important to her. But oh well, can't do that now."
He seems to have finished that topic in his own mind.
"Now I guess we go back to the Tooth. That was our last site so I guess some of you are leaving? Can you all stay at least one night. Let's turn in the things we found, get some money and spend it on something fun. You guys can leave in the morning."
"Sounds good to me."
"I Still have to book Transportation back to Last Wall since that is my next destination. So I may be in town for a bit longer than a night. I agree we need a day or two of down time to sell items and just relax." Aliva says heading to the entrance of the building.
"Yes, let's make it so we have memories of each other that don't involve being in mortal peril!"
Setting off back tower the town proper, you reach the gates with little issue and the two men go their separate way. Before heading back to the Tooth & Hookah you make your way to the Grand Mausoleum to report that you have completed your exploration of your final site from the lottery.
Staying true to your word and not mentioning any of the problems you encountered at the site you leave are ready to leave the temple when one of the priests stops you. "You are one of the groups assigned in the lottery yes? Just so you know there is an upcoming auction where you might be able to get good prices for any historical treasures, as well as get a look at and perhaps purchase—some of the relics other adventurers discovered in the necropolis."
The priest notes that the auction is scheduled to take place in two days when the other groups are expected to finish up with their sites.
"We are yes, thank you for letting us know. WE will get our things together and ready for this. Do you know where it is being held?" Aliva asks
The man nods "The church of Pharasma has entered into a deal with the Canny Jackal, a prestigious auction house and art gallery located at the western edge of the Sunburst Market. This is where the auction is scheduled to be held."
"Thank you." Aliva says with a slight bow "Do we have to register with the church to make sure they know we are coming to sell things?"
The man shakes his head "No, but if you have any historical items you might want to put up for auction you may want to talk with the people at the Canny Jackal."
"An auction? That sounds perfect! I've always wanted to go to one. And we might be able to find some amazing treasures there."
"I hope we can sell our things for a good price too."
Haji will be very desinterested in the auction, but will demand a share for the inconveniences the trip brought to him. He needs to pay for his booze over the next days somehow.
Having a few days to yourselves you sort through your various loot and have some time for much needed relaxation, not only after delving into multiple tombs but also having been ambushed twice. It is quickly becoming apparent that while there are riches to be had here there is also not a lack of dangers to overcome.
As the day of the auction arrives the city is abuzz with activity leading up to the auction. The Canny Jackal hosts many of Wati’s richest collectors and historians, from local nobles to representatives from An, Tephu, and even Sothis. Auctions traditionally begin an hour after sunset, with a complimentary reception beforehand for the attendees to mingle with one another and enjoy refreshments. You've heard that this evening, the Jackal
is offering cheese-stuffed figs, hard-boiled peacock eggs, onion bread, onion-stuffed squid, fresh and dried fruit, spiced wine, and a sampling of 2,000-year-old honey recovered from one of the tombs.
Aliva spends the next few days moving about the city, being in a city that is so different from her own home in Taldor Aliva wants to take in the sights. When not exploring she will help with cataloging the papers they have found. "Irakelesh can you teach me Ancient Osirani ?" Aliva asks as they try to go through papers.
Haji won't be seen at the auction. He wanders the streets of the unfamiliar city by day and drinks himself to sleep at night.
If he can be bothered, he'll find the local garison and watch the young recruits fail at any given task.
He then shouts inappropriately rude, but technically helpful commands from the fence he's leaning on at them.
Between resting and relaxing, Ai'sha will also try to find the fanciest set of clothes she can afford to better fit with the other participants in the auction, as well taking some time to know more about them.
Khufukhaf cleans up and socializes with some of the other treasure hunters and collectors attending the auction.
Irakelesh makes the most of the downtime. When he can, he brews up some alchemical items but the rest of the time he socializes with anyone who will have him.
When Aliva asks him to teach her Ancient Osiriani he jumps at the chance. "Of course, of course! It is the most noble of languages. How do you want to start?"
In between working with Irakelesh on learning the Ancient Osirian language you spend time roaming the city to take in the sights while waiting for the auction. You sample exotic foods and look at the wares of the various street peddlers. Everything is different from your home and it is exhilarating to be surrounded by so many differences, if not at times a little overwhelming. Taking a little time to dig up some information on the upcoming auction you hear Djat Masakhet and Intef Karam who are representatives of Wati’s temple of Nethys, the Sanctum of Silver and Gold, are looking for unique magic items and lost temple records at the upcoming auction.
As you learn about the clerics of Nethys you overhear another group talking and one of the men mentions "Naturally, the Okhentis will throw their vulgar coin at anything with a blade—if they haven’t already spent tonight’s share on companionship and liquor, of course."
As you are looking over the clothes you over hear another women talking "Rather nice to see the Pharasmins on board with this auction. At least we’ll know these relics are real. You can’t trust the veracity of just anything up for sale, no matter how old it looks. A group calling themselves the Silver Chain took me for a fortune on a ‘Second Age’ chest last year. It looked ancient enough, but it turned out the damned thing had only survived a house fire in An..."
"Some of the adventurers who went into the necropolis didn’t fare so well, from what I hear. They say the Sunrise Fellows were betrayed by one of their own, and some shady lowlifes ambushed the Scorched Hand while they were trying to leave the necropolis."
"Did you know that mumia can protect you against mummy rot? I’d never take the stuff myself, it’s made from actual mummies, you know, not to mention illegal, but I’m sure some of those adventuring types in the city these days don’t have such scruples."
Aliva makes her way back to the tooth and Hooka, "Has anyone heard of The Okhentis? Are they a family maybe?" Aliva asks her companions when in their rooms.
Haji who overhears the fellows talking from a distance shouts back at them. "Why would someone were golden masks? Are they a cult or something?" I'm all in for eradicating another cult...
"It's a good thing mummies are rare and most folk do not have to worry about mummy rot. Otherwise this mumia substance would be more necessary."
:"What is Mumia?" Aliva asks Khuf
Heading back to the Tooth and Hooka, Ai'sha meets the others.
"I've heard something about people trying to sell fake relics, we might need to be careful during the auction."
As the auction approaches the group meets back up at the Tooth and Hooka to get ready for the evening and, those who wish to attend, prepare to depart. You note that some of the other adventuring groups are doing the same and everyone's attention seems to be on the upcoming auction.
What's so improtant about an auction? Stop making such a fuss about it. Haji sits in the common room as he watches everyone getting ready.
"Maybe I join you after all. This seems to be a big event. Big events draw big problems sometimes. I should have a watchful eye"
"We will be fine to attend in our battle wear I would assume?" Aliva asks Ai'Sha and Irakelesh who are city locals. "DO we have everything ready to sell?"
"Oh its fine, you can be my personal bodyguard for the auction!"