The final gnoll realizes what a tenuous position its life is in and begins fleeing at top speed.
You now have a safe location to rest before continuing to the ruins. A weathered, partially buried marker about 100 feet west of the oasis matches the description in Grandmaster Torch’s notes. During the hour before dusk, the setting sun’s light causes a weathered hieroglyph depicting an arch to glow. Even as the sun sets, the long shadow cast by the stone never shifts, always pointing to the northwest with exactly the same bearing. Traveling in that direction for several hours leads you to the ruins of Seeker’s Folly.
The gnolls maintain a poorly hidden cache of stolen goods near their hiding spot. In addition to a silver cup and a hodgepodge of coins, their ill-gotten gains include alchemical supplies from Thuvia that consist of an alchemy crafting kit, a vial of antitoxin, and two flasks of alchemist’s fire. There are also two flasks of liquid ice, a potion of blur, and a potion of haste.
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Morka laughs along at Kelris's comment, "Hehe, that was one hell of a starfish. We really didn't see that one coming. I don't think we are that far off though, only a few more hours left to go!" he adds cheerfully. "I wonder why these knolls attacked us, really. Not very bring to pick of strangers of larger number than your pack..."
Looking around at the loot, Morka takes an alchemists fire and antitoxin. "These will come in handy, maybe one of you can take the rest? Those magical potions would do the rest of you much better."
The remainder of the journey through the desert proceeds uneventfully, with only the rise and fall of the dunes to break the monotony. A low, uneven hill of granite appears on the horizon to the northwest, presenting the only shelter for miles around. Although the crag appears solid from a distance, on closer examination there is a wide fissure in the rock sealed by a heavily weathered stone wall fitted with a large iron door.
Seeker’s Folly has sat virtually undisturbed for centuries. The khamsin storms have worn away the carvings that once decorated the outer wall, which serves as a barrier against the abrasive sand, leaving the courtyard relatively protected. The wall stands 30 feet tall, and a 15-foot-tall set of iron doors keeps out the weather.
The iron gate that seals the entrance is heavy and partially buried by sand, yet it is unbarred . The archway’s ceiling contains a recessed inscription in Ancient Osiriani that has avoided the worst of millennia of erosion.
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Merisiel looks at the inscription, but it makes no sense to her.
"Anybody know the language? Or can use magic to read it? Kelris, maybe wait until we read it before opening the gate. The writing might warn us of dangers."
Merisiel takes a look for any tracks showing that Aspis agents may have arrived already.
The door creaks open, sand falling from its surface in a small cascade. The wind gusts about this small courtyard, filling the air with fine grit. Corpses litter the area, little more than bone and desiccated, leathery skin. A dry well occupies the center, surrounded by the remnants of an outdoor market, though even the best tent is tattered and leans precariously. To the east, a set of low steps rise to a set of stone doors surrounded by symmetrical wall carvings of pharaohs. Stairs to the south ascend to the outer wall.
There are sounds of shuffling and shambling coming from within the courtyard, and you can see vague shapes moving around. In the back you can see something huge and looming next to some doors leading into the sanctum.
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With arms folded, "Yes Kelris, I am certain your granular aid was the a real difference maker. It had nothing to do with technique, grace or her mastery of leverage."
Leaving the rest of the lecture for a later time, Fethril renews his magical defense before moving forward, wand at the ready.
"Some long forgotten personality lost to the ages. It could be anyone's guess as to the true identity."
Upon seeing the indistinct creatures approaching, Fethril targets the nearest and sends a missile of force directly into the center of the mass.
Fethril's magic draws moans out from the creatures, causing them to stumble forward towards your group. As they approach you you realize they are the desiccated corpses of someone here long before you.
James just misses with his scythe, but Kelris manages to hit the shambling monster with his halberd. It is cut in half, then explodes with nasty goo covering both men.
The form near the back of the compound begins moving forward, its steps steadier than the shambling of the zombies around it. As it gets closer you realize it is smaller than it appeared from a distance, and catch a whiff of something foul. Seeing it through the shifting sands is hard, but it looks diseased and broken, as though cobbled together from decayed remains. Your stomach turns as it gets even closer to you.
Animate dead causes the various parts of the golem’s body to shudder and tear.
Any magical attack that deals cold or fire damage slows a carrion golem.
Any magical attack that deals electricity damage hastes a carrion golem.
The other zombies shuffle in from just out of view, ready to attack.
Kelris only manages to slice off a small sliver of one of the corpses comprising the golem. It gets a good look at him before raising its huge fists in an attempt to smash the man into paste.
More nimble than he appears in that armor Kel slips around the fists and resets his halberd.
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Hoping to finish off one of their assailants, the wizard snaps his wrist and sends another bolt of energy into the green hued undead.
Knowing it will take time to whittle down the golem, Fethril decided to try and remove the easier threat. He relies on magical accuracy to fire directly under James' arm and directly into the zombie with the tattered blue tabard.
Merisiel slips behind one of the zombies and begins carving it up. This causes a nasty release of putrid insides as it falls to the ground in twitching lumps. Fethril's missile continues to injure the last remaining zombie standing as it lunges after James.
It manages to hit the man, covering him with something foul.
Morka starts an inspiring speech about the Pathfinders that helped defend Lastwall from the Whispering Tyrant's undead hordes. Meanwhile James bisects the final zombie, spewing himself and Kelris with yet more filth, and Kelris chops deeply into the golem, lopping off bits and pieces, though it continues to stand firm.
The golem responds with simple ferocity and hammerlike fists.
Somehow Kelris manages to shear completely through the golem, halberd coming out the other side after a massive swing and letting it flop backwards on the ground. Disturbingly the legs and lower portion of it are still standing, but a swift kick topples them as well.
From where you are standing you can make out several doors. An enormous pair up a small flight of steps, two leading to some buildings tucked against the mountain, and another one on top of the gate after the stairs leading up.
Heading towards the closest door into the small building a quick inspection reveals nothing unpleasant waiting for you. This modest brick building probably provided housing for a caravan’s beasts when the fortress was active. Only the stone has survived intact, with empty sockets for lanterns at even intervals. Ancient tools for leatherworking sit on a table to the south, next to an empty stone trough. Barren stalls line the north wall. In the east a door leads to the smaller building attached to this one. Another inspection reveals a distinct lack of traps.
This room served at times as a smithy and at other times as a storage facility over the course of the fortress’s occupation. The chimney that rises from the small forge in the southwest corner is clogged with grit from centuries of storms, and the smith’s tools lie nearby under a thick layer of dust. The south door is cracked in places, and scattered crates are all that remain of a barricade.
Most of the contents of this room are spoiled and worthless, though you manage to find two sealed vessels full of salt crystals. One contains an application of silver weapon blanch, and the other contains one measure of ghost salt.