Ai'sha just grimaces as she watches Irakelesh hurt himself in confusion.
"Well...He's seen worse."
"Close the door." gesturing to the door to the room with the Mumia factory.
"I knew fire was a better answer."
"Do we need to evacuate him to a place of saftey?" nodding at Irakelesh.
THe group manages to drag the unconscious Irakelesh out of the lab and shut the door behind themselves. It seems like this little lair of the Silver Chain Gang has been fully explored and you've already dispatched their leader and looted what you could find of value. There doesn't appear to be much else here of interest.
"Do we need to head back to the inn to find a secure place to rest?"
"We should head back to the Church to get Irakelesh fixed up." Aliva says
You grab Irakelesh and make your way back to the church to get him healed. However, as you get close you hear a woman screaming for help. Quickly rushing toward the plea you come to an intersection ahead where a woman is standing on several crates as three zombies try to grab at her. You are about to rush to her aid when a soul-shaking howl fills the air and a pair of hideous creatures—horrible masked amalgams of
bear and crocodile—burst from an alley. They rush toward the undead making quick work of them, but in the process knock over the crates and the woman as she smashes her head against the nearby wall and tumbles to the ground some of the crates pinning her down.
Her head wound is pretty serious as it continues to bleed and its only a matter of time before she succumbs to her wounds. The creatures begin feeding on the decayed flesh of the slain undead while the human lies dying in the street.
"What are those creatures?" Aliva asks seeing the woman bleeding. "We need to stop her from dying." Aliva draws her Morning Star and moves to intercept these new creatures.
Sensing Aliva move closer the creatures turn their attention to her howling and barring their teeth. It is evident that if she gets much closer they will likely attack.
"I don't know, but they don't look friendly."
Nak’T cannot help it. He can’t let an innocent die needlessly. He unfurls his wings and dashes forward, attempting to scoop up the injured woman in his arms and fly her up out of these things reach!
Nak't flies right past the two creatures to try and save the woman. Sadly he can't get to her though as both of the beasts bite into him and establish a hold on him to keep him from moving further.
"Uh, oh."
Ai'sha draws her scimitar as she gets closer and, in a dance-like move, dashes through the creatures, swinging her scimitar at one of them and, more importantly, getting closer to the woman.
Aliva moves to help Nak'T and distract one of the creatures. "Are these creatures native to this area?"
Khufu moves to the north of the mystery bear-crocodiles.
He tries to dodge past the one engaged with Aliva.
but it's obvious that he's not very dextrous.
Ai'sha casts a spell as she dashes past the strange creatures, slicing one along the way, but the wound is much less than what Ai'sha would have though from her strike. Aliva advances and smacks the same one with her morningstar doing a bit of damage, though not as much as she would have expected. Khufu moves to the north and darts past the one creature, who is pre-occupied gnawing on Nak't to bother trying to attack him.
Both of the aligator-bears gnaw on Nak't, but it is like they are trying to get at his very essence.
"Just distract them for a second! I'll help you soon!", Ai'sha screams, quickly retrieving her wand of cure light wounds and using it on the injured woman.
Khufukhaf raised his right hand towards the two assailants, shouts "Ignatium" in an arcane language, and directs a gout of flame at the two assailants.
Casting Burning Hands at the two enemies.
Ai'sha taps the woman with her wand and she regains consciousness, the worst of her wounds healing up, though she is still covered in crates.
Nak’T is somewhat relieved when he sees the woman saved. Now he turns his attention to the fiends...
"Let him GO!" ALiva calls out as she smashes down again.
Between Nak'ts hits, Aliva smacking the thing and Khufu burning both of the creatures to a crisp, Nak't is finally freed from one of the creatures grasp as it collapses to the ground and then turns to dust.
The other one lets go of Nak't and glares at Khufu as it advances on him to attack the source of his pain.
It bites into Khufu and grabs a hold of him in its jaws.
Ai'sha turns to the woman. "Hang in there, I'll return to help you in a second!", she moves around the crates and swings her scimitar at the remaining creature.
Ai'sha is quick to react as she slides up behind the beast and guts it deep across the back, severing its spine. It falls to the ground and in moments turns to dust.
The woman looks on in sheer fear, as the creature disappears she tries pushing the crates off herself to flee, though she isn't having much luck.
As the bear-thing attacks, Khufu's hawk familiar screeches and leaps into the air to circle shrieking in consternation.
"Oh no....it's got me!" he cries with his left arm trapped in the bear-thing's jaws.
He struggles to pry the jaws apart to free his arm helplessly.
Then Ai'sha steps up and slices it across the back, killing it.
As it collapses, Khufu struggles out of the now limp jaws and staggers to his feet.
"Oh my goodness .... thank you Ai'sha and Nak't. Those things were faster than they appeared."
His hawk circles once more and then swoops in to land on his padded shoulder.
He leans his spear against the wall of the house next to him and withdraws and Wand of Cure Light Wounds.
He sets to work and quickly closes the puncture wounds in his left arm.
"Can someone help with the crates?", Ai'sha says, going up to the woman and making a token effort to help her free herself.
"Don't worry, you're safe now."
With the threats dealt with it doesn't take long to free the woman. She is thankful but is in a hurry to get off the streets and back home before something else horrible can befall her. Unless specifically stopped, she runs off to head home.
With the interruption over you pick up Irakelesh and continue on your way to the temple. There are no more problems and you make it the rest of the way in short order. The place is packed now, so many injured that are being tended to, but even so things seem to be significantly calmer than they were early in the day when you visited.
You see to getting Irakelesh healed, each of you also get any remaining wounds healed up after showing your writs of service to the church. Just as Irakelesh is getting back on his feet again one of the clergy comes to get you. "Many pardons, but Sebti would like a word with you all at your earliest convenience."
"Certainly .... we are at your service."
Aliva hands her morning star back on her belt, helping Ai'Sha with the crates and then helping the woman stand up. Aliva watches as Khuf manages to get his wand to work in a strange way that she never knew was possible.
"We will attend her now if that is what she wants. I think Irakelesh needs some rest since he was a bit foolish." Aliva says looking at her fellows
Nak’T nodded in thanks when a somewhat nervous priest attended his injuries. He focused quietly on these people jibbering, trying intently to put his ability to pick up languages quickly to use. It seemed they all used the same uncouth tongue, so that was fortunate for him he supposed. He did notice other dialects and languages, but those were used far less often.
When the others he had been protecting prepared to be led off, Nak’T took his glaive in hand and followed along from behind.
It's like coming out of a fog enshrouded valley, following the road over the crest of a hill, to find that the sun is shining on a bright landscape where you can see forever, the ocean glistening in the distance. Wisdom seeps back into Irakelesh's mind, body, and soul.
"Wow. That was something, wasn't it. By the way, don't smell that stuff in the room. It's not good for you."
When the messenger delivers his message Irakelesh bows. "Of course. Just as my friend here says. We are at your service."
Ai'sha nods and follows.
The man nods and leads you toward Sebti's chamber. As you approach you hearing arguing inside. A male voice shouts "While you play nurse to those being injured by all this, the undead scourge grows at the gates and it is only a matter of time before they overrun this town. You may be the High Priestess, but you are acting a fool, when I have a perfectly reasonable solution."
As you enter Sebti replies in a calm, even tone "Your solution is not reasonable at all. Summoning an army of psychopomps might save Wati from the undead, but will likely cause hundreds of innocent deaths as well."
She notices your entrance and motions for you to come. As you walk in you see Ptemenib sitting off to the side watching the whole affair and he gives you a 'Please help' look as you enter. Sebti draws your attention as she speaks "Ah just in time. It would do well to have some mediation from an outside party in this matter. Ptemenib told me of your bravery in rescuing him and since you've been out in this mess helping where you can I hope you might have some insit to help solve this little quarrel."
The man just rolls his eyes and stares at you all with a sour look on his face as Sebti continues "I believe we should focus on protecting the citizens from harm, where as Nakht is all for brutal, quick, decisive action. While I may rule over our faith here at the Grand Mausoleum, Nakht Shepses is the head of our more militant wing, the Voices of the Spire. Neither of us has clear authority in such a crisis. As high priestess, I believe Nakht should defer to my judgment."
Nakht interrupts to add "We don't have time to be so wrapped up in protecting ever body all at once. If we don't act fast it may be to late to protect anyone... The source of the necromantic uprising must be found before more powerful undead rise from their graves, and only my psychopomps are qualified for such a task."
Sebti shoots the man a glare and then looks to you all "I'm curious, with what you've seen today in helping around town, what are your thoughts on the matter?"
"I learned from the Temple of Sarenrae that protecting those who need it comes before destroying evildoers. It seems very clear to me that the High Priestess is in the right here.", Ai'sha says without hesitating.
"While summoned psychopomps might be a solution inside the grave city, they would do too much damage to the regular citizens."
"With rest, we can strike back out to investigate and find the source of the necromancy."
Irakelesh steps forward. "Well, I've been a bit out of it for a little while. There was an unfortunate, uh, incident, back there. You see, we found an abandoned alchemist's lab. The alchemist wasn't abandoned, it was the lab that was abandoned. But I had to explore it, and then that's when things when crazy. In the end though, I was not thinking too clearly. It was strange. So as I was saying, since I was a bit out of it, I'm not entirely sure what my thoughts are on that matter."
Irakelesh pauses for a breath then continues. "However, in terms of religious convictions and pragmatic concerns, especially when they are in conflict, like we see here, I've read considerably back at the palace. It has been an age long struggle and debate." Irakelesh chuckles at a memory. "There's a humorous story that epitomizes this. You see, there was a farmer and a priestess. It was spring time and the farmer was fervently planting his crops in order to ensure a bountiful harvest in the fall. In his eagerness, the farmer forgot to save a portion of the seed to give to the poor so that they could plant their own crops. The priestess approached the farmer, in his fields, and began to admonish him. The farmer felt so bad, he went back and dug up many of the seeds he had already planted and gave them to the priestess so that she could distribute them. The priestess so admired the farmer's act, she fell in love with him. They married the following day, and then the town never starved for food again."
Irakelesh smiles with a knowing smile. "See? That's what we should do."
Aliva looks at Irakelesh as he finishes his story, "So you think what? That they should work together on this? I agree, back in Last Wall the Knights of Ozem would take on the undead regardless but that is what they do. Do you have any pull with the city guard? They can protect the people while the church deals with the undead threat." Aliva offers/
From the back of the room Ptemenib offers a suggestion "Not to put a burden on this fine group, but perhaps there is a third option to consider here? Perhaps, if they were willing, they could volunteer to go into the necropolis themselves in search of the source of the undead uprising? Based on their recent performance, I believe they are more than capable."
Nakht lets out a sharp laugh "Ha! Really, you think some hired adventurers would be more effective than unswervingly loyal outsiders?"
Sebti on the other hand seizes the idea "Honestly, I think that would work well if they were to accept and perhaps we could have a little demonstration to ease your concern Nakht?"
Both Sebti and Nakht look to you for your response.
"I was, of course, going to suggest that too.", Ai'sha says, nonchalant, then quickly glances towards her friends. "If my companions agree to it as well."
Nak’T just watches and listens, trying to do his best to piece together the language.
Khufu leans over to Nak't and says:
” yetet’erutini mīnī-mīsa’ēwochini met’ek’emi wit’ētama yihonali ፣ negeri gini betikikili mek’ot’at’eri kechalu bicha። bīhonimi ፣ bīyasifeligi inikwani ፣ beḥiyiwetē wisit’i yebetachinetini irigimani mek’awemi befit’iretu layi ye’inē gidēta neberi ፡፡ bichayēni mehēdi kalebinyi wedezīchi yenīwi yoriki ketema gebichē sigati layi ihonalehu ፡፡ honomi ፣ lemarefi ina lemazegajeti ānidi mishiti ifeligalehu ፡፡” Nak’T says as he tightens his grip on his glaive and gives both the apparent leaders a stern look in the eyes.
Khufukhaf looks at the Pharasma worshipers and says: "Dragon-guy says he's going to go fight the undead tomorrow either way. So I guess he's in."
"Yes, Aliva. That's what I was saying. They should work together. At least the farmer and the priestess. But I don't know if these two should. That doesn't quite match the story. But, well, I guess it does match. Either way, I agree with the esteemed gentleman over there." He points at Ptemenib. "It's a splendid idea. You see, it solves both problems at one time. You have no doubt heard it said that the defense is a strong offense. Or, was it the best offense is a strong defense? Hmm. Either way. Both is better."
He nods.
"So I agree with Ai'sha's idea, and it looks like Nak'T is too. We should go into the necropolis and find the source of the problem. Should be relatively straight-forward. But what is this talk of a demonstration?"
When it seems the group is in agreement that they can handle things Nakht Shepses waves in one of his runners and whisperes into his ear. The man heads out of the room as Nakht turns to the group "Well, if you think for one second I'm just going to take you at your word then you don't understand what is going on here. If you all believe yourself so capable I want to see it first hand. I've sent for a means to prove you are as good as you say."
Minutes later a tall, skeletal figure wearing a vulture-like mask and a ragged cloak of gray feathers teleports into the temple, along with two of the gator-bear like creatures you fought before at heel. Nakht calmly intones "if you can defeat the Voices’ best servant and his war dogs, then I am willing to accept you as Pharasma’s agents in place of my psychopomps. I have no wish to see anybody die, so this battle should be fought only until the majority of combatants on one side fall unconscious."
They lead you up to an outdoor balcony where you will have more room for the fight and step back to give you room.
"Wait, those things are YOURS?", Ai'sha asks, pointing to the gator-bears. "We saw two of them almost eating a poor unconscious trapped woman alive, they didn't seem to be very focused on fighting all the other undead in the city either. And we had to beat them to save her."
She turns to Sebti. "Do we really have to waste time here like this?"
Nak’T turns his eyes on the fiends that have appeared, narrowing his eyes at them as he adjusts his weapons grip. He storms across the room, not even waiting for the man to stop speaking, and thrusts his glaive forward and down hard at the lead hound looking thing.
"Let's get on with it." Khufu says.
He moves up next to Nak'T Akh with his robe billowing out behind him and directs his right hand towards the group of psychopomps with his fingers splayed.
"Ignatium!!!" he shouts and he releases a gout of fire to wash across them.
(DC16 Reflex for half)
Sebti frowns "It would not be my preference, but it will settles things here once and for all." she notes just as Nak't is rushing forward to attack.
"Well, not everyone is capable of making decisions based on words and reasoning. Some people have to see physical evidence." Irakelsh shrugs and moves across the floor. He wields his shortbow as he moves and swiftly nocks an arrow. He draws back the string and lets fly.