|
Standing in the briefing room is a well dressed human, with a rapier at his hip and a chain shirt under his mostly black outfit and coat, which he doesn't try to hide.
Anyone from Absalom may recognize him as the proprietor of the Laughing Lizard tavern, an establishment known for being open to Pathfinders any time, for anything. There are rumors of it being a front for the Thieves' Guild as well, but those have never been substantiated.
He looks almost bored, leaning against the wall, looking at a small notebook full of numbers and invoices. After a moment, he puts it away and smiles at those that have arrived.
Well, it's nice to see my partners for this trip! I haven't heard anything about it other than it has something to do with the desert and some tombs. Any of you know what we're in for yet?
His words flow freely and come along with an offered flask from his belt, which by the smell is some kind of whiskey.
|
A burly half-elf that looks slightly confused for lack of a better term makes his way into the room. His gear, while a bit battered and worn appears to be masterfully designed, and he's clad in a breastplate that's been plainly modified to allow greater mobility. A darkwood shield rides on his back, covering a longsword and a longbow.
Currently he has a guisarme in his gauntleted fists, and he makes his way to a back corner.
He'll accept the flask happily!
"Cayden Cailean bless you, sir!"
No, he doesn't appear to be a man of faith, nor does he seem to have any inkling of what is going on beyond the promise of fighting to come.
|
/Flashback
Everything was in a bit of a rush. One minute you were poring over the latest Society field reports by a warm and cozy fire, and the next you were hustled out into the night and onto a ship that was heading out of the harbour with haste. All you knew is that the matter was urgent and you were bound for Osirion. A mad dash across the sea became a hasty sail along the River Sphinx and then a short jaunt a dozen or so miles to the sprawling desert city of Sothis.
Arriving at sunset, the heat of the day was still stifling, but it soon gave way to the cold crispness of night. Sand, ever abundant, had already begun creeping into your clothes, your bags, and “anywhere you’d really rather it didn’t”, but it is as persistent as the flies that continued to plague you in this fine city. Fortunately you didn’t need to find an Inn or lodgings, as you were expected guests at Sandswept Hall, the Pathfinder Lodge in Sothis.
In the morning you rose to clean robes in the Osirion fashion, cool open weave cloth allowing for maximum freedom of movement and airflow around the body. Clay jugs of cool water and a washtub leant themselves to a vigorous and refreshed feeling, and the summons to breakfast a welcome event.
***
Venture-Captain Norden Balentiir greets your party at the table, slicing himself some fruit with an acient looking bronze knife resembling an ibis beak.
”I trust the lodgings were to your satisfaction and your journey untroubled?” he begins ”Were it that the world had no strange events it would be dull times indeed, but that is not the case!” he seems rather mysterious he then continues, somewhat dramatically ” In the depths of the Osirian desert, a sandstorm has recently uncovered a mighty pyramid that was buried beneath the sand for ages. Lost for centuries, the pyramid has not yet revealed its secrets, but one crumbling papyrus scroll found in the Great Library of Tephu contains references to the tomb of an ancient Osirian king known only as the Pharaoh of Sphinxes. Word of the pyramid’s discovery has spread far and fast. Archaeologists, explorers, and tomb robbers from across the Inner Sea are gathering in Osirion’s taverns and inns to plan expeditions into the desert, each vying to be the first to plunder the tomb’s treasures.”
"We have made arrangements with the correct parties to ensure our expedition, your expedition is sanctioned and legitimised, we will be the first to investigate the ancient structure - you have questions no doubt?"
His look is one of excitement and interest.
|
"Nice place." A gruff, stocky dwarf enters the room, looking around. He looks to be the consummate adventurer, with many weapons, vials, ropes, and tools attached to various parts of his outfit and backpack.
"Henrick Bulwark, at yer service! Sometimes this things are rather boring, but I gots an itch in my nose that says this may prove to be interesting."
|
|
The half-elven warrior shifted a bit uncomfortably. After being told to get out of the armor, and then feeling cooler as a result it made him a bit twitchy. Armor was what kept a body alive, but he can't help but feel naked right now despite the garments.
"Y' said tha' our expedition is sanction'd. Some places 've been, tha's a writ t' be killed. Not that kinda sanction, right?"
Okay, that's a pretty dark thought to start the questions off with...
|
|
Upon learning his mission, Kel sets out with a smile and mission. He searches the city, and the merchants (even trying to make a few business connections here and there), and purchases the following:
--Hot Weather Outfit: 8gp
--Holy Water (3): 75gp
--Cold Iron Rapier: 40gp
--Silvered Rapier: 40gp
--Arrows, Silvered (10): 21gp
--Arrows, Cold Iron (10): 2gp
--Longbow, Composite +1: 200gp
Remaining Gold: 59
|
|
The Venture Captain chuckles comfortingly at the expressed concern "If it were not interesting I would have requested a couple of carpet sellers and a travelling magi to wander down and have a look, but I suspect you are right, hence I requested some sensible and cautious people with a knack for good decisions"
"Yes, Agraic, the right kind of sanctions - this isn't Varisia where the word has a different meaning" He continues to encourage.
|
Well, it's nice to see my partners for this trip! I haven't heard anything about it other than it has something to do with the desert and some tombs. Any of you know what we're in for yet?
His words flow freely and come along with an offered flask from his belt, which by the smell is some kind of whiskey.
The young half-elf shrugged, as unable to guess about the specifics of their mission as her fellows were. She flashed a grin when the flask was offered and accepted it with a nod of thanks, and took a generous sip before passing it on. "I only know one thing for certain... if they want me on this team, they expect trouble, eh? I'm Kishara. I like to find my way 'round to trouble's backside, if you catch my meaning." She said with a wink and a smirk, tapping the hilt of her silvery shortsword. Her accent had become more subdued with her time in Absalom, but the Chelaxian lilt was still audible in her speech.
***
Kish took full advantage of the opportunity to wash and arrived to the meeting with damp, freshly braided hair and smelling of soap and vanilla musk. She wore the provided clothing, not wanting to cause offense, but still managed to wear her mithral chain shirt among it's layers.
"The Pharaoh of Sphinxes... sounds prestigious. Venture-Captain, do you have any suspicion as to the identity of this mysterious pharaoh? And would I guess correctly if I suppose this sort of tomb is likely to be guarded by a number of traps, sir? Finally, how far is the site? Will we need mounts?"
|
|
"The identity of the Pharoah? Other than one vague reference in a long forgotten and musty scroll we have little to nothing - that is why our first expedition - yours, is so important"
"Traps? Yes, but my over arching concern is for safety, do not over stretch yourselves to the point of folly - if we are to explore and co-operate but end up dead then there is no report. Indeed let that be true of all things on this mission - should you have sufficient knowledge and information from the pyramid do not feel the need to press your luck to test the curses and traps of a forgotten Age out of hubris, let us first gather our Intelligence, and then if it warrants, we can secure the place and gather what scholars and experts we must in order to undertake a more vigorous investigation"
He moves over to A map on the wall and draws your attention to Sothis, then across to Eto.
"The pyramid lies approximately ninety miles west-southwest of the city of Eto in the inhospitable region known as the Parched Dunes, a journey of over a week on foot through trackless desert. We will be outfitting you with camels, guides, and sufficient provisions to get you to your destination and back, so the journey should be merely four and a half days each way - your concern will be the pyramid"
"Should you have no further questions then please enjoy the hospitality, you leave in the morning"
|
|
On the way out, Kel reaches for his flask, but stops when he grabs it. He mutters to himself
Probably not a good idea...
Then he picks up a second waterskin for the trip. He adjusts his three rapiers on his belt so that they don't get in the way of drawing one another, and mounts his camel.
Well then. Looks like we're off to discover ancient secrets of a faraway land! If this isn't the spirit of the Society, then I don't know what is!
|
|
The battered warrior-type winces a bit at the description of overland travel. In hot jungle lands further south and west he's had the unfortunate experience of getting wiped out physically wearing his armor around, so he can't imagine it being any different or better in the desert.
Still, hopefully with the guides it'll be a little bit easier.
He felt confident and set until folks started picking up holy water, alchemical means, and special material weapons. Getting just premium equipment has left him a bit shy on the funds, and he gets a bit nervous as he sees some of the other gear that's coming into play.
"Startin' t' feel a bit under-equipped an' prep'd here. Got thirty gold, anyone got any ideas I can chip in wit'?"
|
|
Your inland journey takes you over the River Sphinx and then along a well travelled trade route that joins Sothis and the and Shiman-Sekh towards Eto. Whilst the sands shift and move, the mountain range known as the Pillars of the Sun provide a navigational reference point to ensure you don’t get lost or turned around in the semi-frequent dust storms.
The caravan has passed this way many times before and your journey simply becomes routine, seeing you reaching Eto with little effort. Whilst you stop for fresh provisions for the last leg of the journey, you note what has obviously been a strong and protracted growth in trade, ‘new money’ seems fairly abundant and the city is flourishing. Taking the time to gather the local rumours and tall tales, you uncover that Eto has also become a launching pad for adventurers seeking to plunder the country's many ancient tombs. You also hear that Gnoll raiders occasionally launch attacks on the caravans of Eto from the desert depression and ancient temple called Lamashtu's Flower some eighty miles from the town.
With provisions in place, and well warned about the Gnolls, the caravan once more pushed out into the blistering sands towards your final destination.
You put down for the night in the lee of a large sand dune, knowing that the next day you were sure to locate the site – indeed as the sun broke into the sky you climbed the dune and in the near distance you saw the unmistakable outline of a pyramid.
An incredible man-made mountain, the pyramid rises out of the desert sands, a relic of an earlier age. Its limestone casing blocks are weathered from millennia of scouring sands, but the structure seems solid and intact. A stone wall, buttressed by drifts of sand, surrounds the entire structure. To the east stands a squat stone building, connected to the pyramid by a long, covered causeway. No visible entrances to the pyramid’s interior can be seen.
The pyramid of the Pharaoh of Sphinxes is nearly 160 feet tall and 250 feet square at its base, and is constructed of giant limestone blocks carefully fitted together without mortar. A 30’ stone wall encloses the pyramid, the only entrance into the pyramid appears to be through the outer building.
|
|
You move towards the outer rectangular building - constructed of large stone blocks it sits on the desert sands to the east of the pyramid. A wide portico opens to the east, its ceiling supported by two rows of red granite columns. A dark passage leads deeper into the temple to the west.
The dawning sunlight outside the portico provides normal light in this chamber. The portico walls were once carved in relief, but millennia of exposure to windblown sand has worn the carvings away, and disappointingly there is not enough detail remaining to decipher what they once depicted.
|
|
He felt confident and set until folks started picking up holy water, alchemical means, and special material weapons. Getting just premium equipment has left him a bit shy on the funds, and he gets a bit nervous as he sees some of the other gear that's coming into play.
"Startin' t' feel a bit under-equipped an' prep'd here. Got thirty gold, anyone got any ideas I can chip in wit'?"
Kishara smiled and clapped her fellow half-elf on the back. "No worries, Agraic! We'll get you squared away, yes?" She perused through his equipment, nodding approvingly at his flasks of alchemist's fire, crowbar and waterskins. "Well, you could buy an acid flask or two, they're pretty cheap. But you'd better invest in some rations... you've packed no food, man!"
|
|
Just before departure
There are some profanities from the half-elf when he suddenly realizes he didn't get the rations he'd paid for at one of the merchants in town. With a bit of a grumble he sets off and gets some additional supplies...
At the Pyramid
The half-elf keeps his eyes and ears open, but the idea of actually being able to decipher any of this is downright laughable.
The befuddled fellow will either take point or second in line unless someone has a better suggestion...
|
|
Kishara gave her camel a fond farewell scratching and pulled her backpack on and then another sack with her all her gear she hadn't equipped simply because she was too overloaded if she carried it all. She schlepped it over to where Agraic stood and gave him her best charming smile.
"Hey Agraic... you're a strapping fellow, think you could help a girl out and carry some gear for me? I really need to stay light on my feet. You're welcome to use some of it if the need arises." She pointed out the flasks of holy water. "If we see something that looks like it ought to be dead, but it's walkin' 'round instead. Hit it with one of these, yeah?"
She stepped to the front of the party, intent on leading the way. "Gotta keep a keen eye out for traps. You heard the V.C., safety first!" She said with a wink and watched carefully ahead as she led the group toward the entrance.
|
|
Kel waves his hand in front of him, motioning for Kishara to take the lead, and draws his rapier, resting it on his shoulder.
Ladies first, my dear. I'll be right behind you in case something really nasty pops out.
He almost takes a swig from his flask of rum, but thinks better of it and draws from his waterskin instead.
|
|
Pushing past the initial entryway, you start to investigate the room beyond.
A pair of carved and brightly painted granite columns support the ceiling of this darkened, roughly triangular chamber. To the east, stone statues of a regal man holding a crook and flail and wearing a striped cloth headdress stand on either side of the chamber, though the head of one of the two statues now lies cracked and broken on the alabaster floor. Two more stone statues depicting winged creatures with leonine bodies and falcons’ heads sit beyond.
The smooth granite walls are decorated with hieroglyphs and faded murals that depict loyal subjects and slaves presenting offerings to a pharaoh who sits on a gilded throne, flanked by winged, falcon-headed lions. A passageway to the west stretches off into darkness.
Kishara notices the flagstones just before the tunnel do not appear to be sitting square, indeed closer inspection reveals them as part of a large pressure plate.
|
|
Kishara gets to work.
She finds that the trap has a dual function - one to drop a large pile of masonry from the roof on the unfortunate below, and also to trigger a dropping grate that would seal the front entryway.
She manages to jam the mechanism and prevent it being triggered.
The tunnel westward beckons, you know it is at least 250 yards or so long.
|
|
Kel turns his head away from watching Kishara work for a moment to answer Eleanor.
My dear, I could use it indeed, though I have torches if you wish to use your magic else-ways.
Kel smiles as he watches Kishara work, a solid mix of amusement, admiration, and interest all playing across his face.
There really is nothing better than watching someone skilled at their task going to work on it, is there? And, she's splendid at it, to boot!
Something about her working makes him absentmindedly run his fingers along the hilt and guard of his magical rapier, and anyone looking can see that it is stylized in the shape of a bird, in flight. Also, while the blade is shining metal, the hilt, pommel, and guard are all midnight black.
Once Kish has the trap taken care of, Kel moves back into his place in the marching order, keeping his eyes open for danger. If Eleanor casts a light spell for him, he keeps the object in his buckler hand. If she doesn't then he pulls a torch off of his pack and has it ready to be lit for when things get dark.
|
|
With the trap out of the way, Kishara once again takes the lead and you begin pressing onwards.
Shafts of sunlight shine down from slots in the ceiling of this long, straight corridor, illuminating the piles of sand that have accumulated beneath each slot. Elaborate carved reliefs, their paint now faded with time, cover the walls on both sides of the passage, depicting the legendary deeds of a great pharaoh.
After some time, Kishara halts the party, around 60' ahead he spots 10-foot square stone pyramid standing in the causeway.
|
|
"This reminds me of a pyramid that was in a museum. It was magic and had folks chained to it. Not sure if it's the same or not, but... be very careful. We really had to work hard to get folks away from it."
This being said, he's slowly lowering the packs to the ground and drawing sword and board, just in case.
|
Eleanor relays the notes to her companions.
A construct is an animated object or artificially created creature. A construct has the following features.
d10 Hit Die.
Base attack bonus equal to total Hit Dice (fast progression).
No good saving throws.
Skill points equal to 2 + Int modifier (minimum 1) per Hit Die. However, most constructs are mindless and gain no skill points or feats. Constructs do not have any class skills, regardless of their Intelligence scores.
Traits: A construct possesses the following traits (unless otherwise noted in a creature's entry).
No Constitution score. Any DCs or other statistics that rely on a Constitution score treat a construct as having a score of 10 (no bonus or penalty).
Low-light vision.
Darkvision 60 feet.
Immunity to all mind-affecting effects (charms, compulsions, morale effects, patterns, and phantasms).
Immunity to bleed, disease, death effects, necromancy effects, paralysis, poison, sleep effects, and stunning.
Cannot heal damage on its own, but often can be repaired via exposure to a certain kind of effect (see the creature's description for details) or through the use of the Craft Construct feat. Constructs can also be healed through spells such as make whole. A construct with the fast healing special quality still benefits from that quality.
Not subject to ability damage, ability drain, fatigue, exhaustion, energy drain, or nonlethal damage.
Immunity to any effect that requires a Fortitude save (unless the effect also works on objects, or is harmless).
Not at risk of death from massive damage. Immediately destroyed when reduced to 0 hit points or less.
A construct cannot be raised or resurrected.
A construct is hard to destroy, and gains bonus hit points based on size, as shown on the following table.
While her companions consider what best to do with the thing, Eleanor readies herself to use her Arcane Reservoir to cast 'Summon Monster' in order to provide a flanking companion for anyone who might attack. Meanwhile, she takes a couple steps backwards.
|
|
Agraic sees the thing about to launch and moves forward to act as partial shield wall, lowering his shield into place to ward off the enemy assault, while ready to take a swing at the thing if it tries to blow past him.