The Forgotten God (Table 5)

Game Master Rednal

Snake Fang AoO: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (10) + 10 = 20 Unarmed Damage: 1d8 + 5 ⇒ (4) + 5 = 9
If that hits...
Follow-up Attack: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (8) + 10 = 18 Unarmed Damage: 1d8 + 5 ⇒ (7) + 5 = 12

Taking advantage of the opening created by the mummy's missed attack, Astoroth responds with a jab before moving to a flanking position with Kozuri and beginning a flurry of strikes.

Flanking Flurry: 1d20 + 8 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 8 + 2 = 13 Unarmed Damage: 1d8 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 8
Flanking Flurry: 1d20 + 8 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 8 + 2 = 30 Unarmed Damage: 1d8 + 5 ⇒ (4) + 5 = 9
Confirm: 1d20 + 8 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 8 + 2 = 23 Extra Damage: 1d8 + 5 ⇒ (6) + 5 = 11

All attacks get +2 attack/damage if they're against my Studied Target.

Your attack of opportunity barely accurate enough to strike - although you could feel its tough body resisting your blows, and the follow-up attack wasn't quite accurate enough to hit.

The first flanking blow was a clean miss (one not even your divine power could change), but the other was a solid strike, digging deep into the mummy's body, and both of the undead faced you before lashing out with synchronized strikes.

Slam: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (10) + 14 = 24
Slam: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (19) + 14 = 33 for Damage: 1d8 + 10 ⇒ (8) + 10 = 18
Fort DC 16: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (7) + 17 = 24 Nnnnnope. XD

Kozuri, for her part, lashed out with a quick kick - and while the physical blow did nothing, the added flames and holy power in her body did.

Unarmed Strike: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (15) + 8 = 23 for Damage: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5 Plus Fire and Holy: 2d6 ⇒ (3, 2) = 5

By the way, the 'top' enemy is #2, and the bottom is #1, 'cuz of the order they were attacked. o wo/ In case that's relevant.

Flanking Flurry: 1d20 + 8 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 8 + 2 = 25 Damage: 1d8 + 5 ⇒ (7) + 5 = 12
Flanking Flurry: 1d20 + 8 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 8 + 2 = 11 Damage: 1d8 + 5 ⇒ (1) + 5 = 6

Grunting as he was hit, Astoroth continued to strike at the 'top' mummy.

How injured does each mummy look?

Moderately injured - a little less than half so, to be exact.

Your first blow was the only one to land, weakened by the creatures' natural resistance to physical damage. Mummies were particularly well-known for that - truly powerful blows didn't notice much of a difference, but you weren't strong enough for that, while energy seemed somewhat more effective. The mummy you weren't targeting stepped to the side, carefully maneuvering around you.

Slam: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (15) + 14 = 29 for Damage: 1d8 + 10 ⇒ (1) + 10 = 11
Slam: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (8) + 14 = 22
Fort DC Fail-on-a-one: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (5) + 17 = 22

Another blow managed to hit you, although this one was much weaker than the previous strike.

"Are you all right?" Kozuri asked, looking a bit worried.

Unarmed Strike: 1d20 + 8 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 8 + 2 = 25 for Damage: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6 Plus Fire and Holy: 2d6 ⇒ (2, 5) = 7

Sense Motive DC 29: 1d20 + 19 + 1d6 ⇒ (7) + 19 + (5) = 31
Snake Fang AoO: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (9) + 10 = 19 Damage: 1d8 + 5 ⇒ (5) + 5 = 10

"I'm fine." Avoiding the strike, Astoroth attempts a return blow before backing away and firing a bolt of magic.

Augmented Destructive Blast: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (19) + 10 = 29 Damage: 5d6 + 5 ⇒ (3, 3, 6, 5, 3) + 5 = 25
Attacking the lower mummy

Your return blow missed. The destructive blast? Better. It rocked the lower mummy, although it didn't destroy it - but another blow of that strength definitely would. They lurched after you a moment later, clearly aiming to try and box you in.

Slam: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (17) + 14 = 31 for Damage: 1d8 + 10 ⇒ (3) + 10 = 13
Slam: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (8) + 14 = 22
Fort Save: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (14) + 17 = 31

They seemed to be oddly fixated on you - perhaps because you'd been the first to enter the tomb? Either way, Kozuri didn't hesitate to move back into a flanking position and help.

Unarmed Strike: 1d20 + 8 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 8 + 2 = 28 for Damage: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10 plus Fire and Holy: 2d6 ⇒ (2, 4) = 6

Sense Motive DC 31: 1d20 + 19 + 1d6 ⇒ (15) + 19 + (1) = 35
AoO: 1d20 + 10 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 10 + 2 = 14 Unarmed Damage: 1d8 + 5 ⇒ (6) + 5 = 11

Turning aside from the blow once again, Astoroth continues to strike at the mummy. "A bit more fire, Miss Kozuri, and this one should drop."

Flanking Flurry: 1d20 + 8 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 8 + 2 = 25 Unarmed Damage: 1d8 + 5 ⇒ (4) + 5 = 9
Flanking Flurry: 1d20 + 8 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 8 + 2 = 17 Unarmed Damage: 1d8 + 5 ⇒ (1) + 5 = 6

Carefully reading the attacks was doing wonders for keeping you from harm, though the retaliatory strikes were a bit hasty and were having trouble landing.

"You've got it!" she said cheerfully, even as your first main blow impacted the undead. It was definitely hurting now, and Kozuri's distracting blows were helping to keep it exposed. Both of the undead lashed out at you...

Slam: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (1) + 14 = 15
Slam: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (14) + 14 = 28 for Damage: 1d8 + 10 ⇒ (4) + 10 = 14
Fort Save: 1d20 ⇒ 11

Even as the two attacked, Kozuri lashed out at the southern one.

Unarmed Strike: 1d20 + 8 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 8 + 2 = 26 for Damage: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9 Plus Fire and Holy: 2d6 ⇒ (1, 3) = 4

It was badly wounded now, and one more successful strike would almost certainly be enough to drop it.

Sense Motive DC 28: 1d20 + 19 + 1d6 ⇒ (14) + 19 + (5) = 38
AoO: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (3) + 10 = 13 Damage: 1d8 + 5 ⇒ (4) + 5 = 9

Astoroth kept up his attack on the undead. Once it fell, it should be a simple matter to defeat the other.

Flurry: 1d20 + 8 + 2 ⇒ (12) + 8 + 2 = 22 Damage: 1d8 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 8
Flurry: 1d20 + 8 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 8 + 2 = 12 Damage: 1d8 + 5 ⇒ (8) + 5 = 13

What was it with your retaliatory strikes missing? You were doing great at dodging blows, but yeesh... Fortunately, your first main strike was enough to bring down that mummy, and it crumpled to the ground with a groan. Kozuri stepped around it a moment later, even as the remaining one attacked you, before letting loose with a firm kick.

Slam: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (18) + 14 = 32 for Damage: 1d8 + 10 ⇒ (7) + 10 = 17
Fort Save: 1d20 ⇒ 1

Unarmed Strike: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (15) + 8 = 23 for Damage: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8 Plus Holy and Fire: 2d6 ⇒ (1, 5) = 6

Sense Motive DC 32: 1d20 + 19 + 1d6 ⇒ (13) + 19 + (1) = 33
(Thank goodness! I really don't want to catch Mummy Rot.)
AoO: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (9) + 8 = 17 Damage: 1d8 + 5 ⇒ (8) + 5 = 13

Now that the number of opponents had been halved, Astoroth took a moment to examine this mummy and pick out flaws in its fighting style.
Move Action: Studied Combat
Unarmed Strike: 1d20 + 10 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 10 + 2 = 18 Damage: 1d8 + 5 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 5 + 2 = 8

Yeah, that would've been bad. XD

Your studied strike failed to land on the mummy, who twisted slightly before kicking out with one leg in a clear attempt to try and catch you off-guard.

Slam: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (6) + 14 = 20

Iiiit was less successful than it probably could have been, though, and working together, you and Kozuri were able to quickly finish off the mummy and take a closer look throughout the area. It didn't seem likely there were any other undead waiting here (although the only way to truly find out was to open the coffins...), so you were free to act as you pleased.

The threat ended, Astoroth set about examining the coffins and reading any inscriptions. If all seems to be in order, he opens all of them.

There don't seem to be any particular inscriptions here, other than a few markers noting who was in which sarcophagi. There were, however, a number of treasures - including 1,000 gp worth of gems, jewelry, silverware, and art objects, a dagger of venom, a set of red dragon hide full plate, a lesser metamagic rod of silent spell, some dust of illusion, and a golembane scarab.

A treasure pile fit for a Merchant Prince, indeed. Astoroth stowed most of the items in his extradimensional space but kept the bulkiest and heaviest things out. With a modification of the surrounding air currents, he should be able to carry them until he reached the nearest city. (using Telekinetic Exoskeleton to grant a bonus to STR checks)

As long as there's nothing else of interest here
"Well, Miss Kozuri, this was certainly worth the detour. The Merchant Prince was clearly an interesting man in his lifetime, and I appreciate his clever use of puzzles. Now then, let us resume our journey to Sothis."

Kozuri nodded cheerfully - she looked like she'd had fun being your minion for the parts where she'd helped. Of course, you'd still have to decide how to report things and whether or not to actually pay out any of what you'd found, per the original request... but the trip to Sothis, although long and hot, wasn't especially complicated once you'd oriented yourself.

The desert wastes of Osirion have always been home to competing clans of nomadic elementals of air and sand, best known for ushering in the blinding khamsin on a seasonal basis. Something changed this year, though, and the elementals went berserk, scouring the desert with tireless fury. Thousands of tons of desert sand shifted, with entire towns buried and valuable oases lost. As a result, the caravan roads have become deadlier than usual (though you hadn't taken those routes, so hey). But one man’s disaster is another man’s opportunity, for in the valleys and canyons left behind by the storms, ancient wonders from fantastic myths have resurfaced. A dozen previously unknown pyramids now miraculously rise from the sand. Word has spread. Renowned treasure hunters from across the globe congregate in Sothis, Osirion’s bustling capital, to prepare for some of the most anticipated dungeon delves in centuries.

Within this community of rogues, bandits, mercenaries, and tomb robbers, a rumor has spread like wildfire. One of these resurfaced structures towering out of the desert floor is none other than the legendary pyramid complex of the Four Pharaohs of Ascension. This was the exploration you'd been asked to get involved in, and the auction was going to be getting started fairly soon... but you did have enough time to take care of business before you headed to the auction house.

Resale value of the treasure: 10,151gp
Value of the seven scepters: 13,285gp

Upon reaching the city and securing lodging for himself and his companion, Astoroth began to inquire about the organization who'd informed them about the Merchant Prince's tomb. He had some scepters to give them as proof of his success.

If that's allowable, of course. If the scepters couldn't be removed from the temple, I'll determine a suitable amount of loot to send them (approximately 10%).

The scepters were removable. ^^

It wasn't long after you entered the city that a letter arrived by courier - and contained a new set of instructions, particularly for how to get in contact with their agent during the auction process (namely, by bidding on each item with ten gold over the starting price, at which point the agent would know who to contact). Further discussions - and payments - could be handled there.

Secrecy definitely seemed to be high on their list of priorities right now...

Selling everything except the golembane scarab. With my previous wealth, I now have 17,701gp + 767gp in gems.

Before the auction, Astoroth sought out an enchanter to increase the potency of his amulet. (upgrading my amulet of mighty fists to a +2 bonus. Costs me 12,000gp. New wealth total: 5701gp + 767gp in gems.)

Once it was complete, Astoroth headed to the auction. He had some bidding to do....

The auction house is a large white pavilion, hidden among dozens just like it, each contributing to the endless maze of tents littering the Malhitu Bazaar. Inside, rows of brightly woven carpets encircle a wooden stage topped with a garish podium. A little talking gets you some more information about the event.

The auction is presided over by the Kemesarian, a well-known antiquities fence with a reputation for restricting his activities to genuine artifacts. The Kemesarian was joined by his seven-man crew of zealous eunuchs. Because of the rumors driven by recent finds, today’s event was packed with curious nobles, sages of ancient Osirion, and several would-be adventurers sniffing around for clues to possible sites for their next expeditions. Several of the other people here to bid had multiple armed guards - in that regard, you looked slightly out of place, and Kozuri was clearly just here to look around and summarily dismissed by everyone. (She didn't look terribly impressed, and in fairness, her uncle's house had been far more opulent than anything here.)

About forty minutes after you arrived, the auction finally got started, and people shuffled into positions. The Kemesarian cleared his throat, nodding to the crowd. "Everyone, welcome, welcome. We all know why we're here, so today's first item is a set of seven gold coins, dating to the time of the four pharaohs. The bidding will open at sixty-five." He calmly set a box down on a podium, close enough for the audience to see (and appraise, if they cared to), but not touch.

Knowledge(history): 1d20 + 15 + 1d6 ⇒ (5) + 15 + (2) = 22

After looking over the coins, Astoroth placed a bid for 75gp. He didn't plan to purchase anything at the auction, but his instructions had been very clear.

This is easier to do on a tabletop, really... so if you change your mind about getting an item, let me know whether or not it'll be your final price. XD

A pair of noblemen shot you unhappy looks - another man looked at you for a few moments before eyeing the auction's manager again. "Eighty." he said lazily. Nobody else seemed interested, and after a few moments, the purchase was marked and the next item was brought out for bidding.

Other items that were set out on display included:

-A weathered stone figurine depicts a slumbering noblewoman with an intricate staff underneath her crossed arms. (Starting bid: 40)

-11 green-speckled veinstones carved into the shape of weights. (Starting bid: 200)

-Charcoal rubbings from the facade of a lesser pyramid, this collection apparently details numerous references to the Four Pharaohs of Ascension. It would take a few hours of deciphering to be totally sure. (Starting bid: 90)

-A 6-inch-tall bronze sculpture of a muscled man with a cobra’s head and a serpent’s tail. The ancient Osirion hieroglyphs for “up,” “down,” and “stop” are etched upon the figurine’s chest. (Starting bid: 400)

-An ancient collection consisting of 11 papyrus scrolls prepared by the Pharaoh of Numbers, apparently star charts of some kind. (The man who'd purchased the coins declared them fakes, and nobody else looked interested in bidding on them... but there was always the chance he was lying or wrong.)

Following his instructions, Astoroth bid on each item that came up. Even the supposed fake scrolls.

- Sleeping Noblewoman: 50gp
- Veinstones: 210gp
- Rubbings: 100gp
- Cobra Man: 410gp
- Scrolls: 10gp

Ultimately, the Scrolls were the only item you actually won (nobody bid against you). As the items were taken to the back (to be recorded and picked up later - the buyers, of course, would need to step back in order to conduct their transactions), a woman in a white shawl approached you. "Pardon me." she said, opening a map of Sothis. In one corner, the compass was marked with the same symbol that had been on the letters you'd received. "You look more familiar with this city than I am. I don't suppose you know where the Malhitu bazaar is? I'm supposed to meet someone there after all of this is over, but I've only just arrived in town."

Taking note of the cloak and the symbol, Astoroth followed his instincts. "I haven't been here too long myself; just arrived for the auction. I wouldn't mind locating the bazaar, though. Perhaps we can look together?"

"It might bore you, but intellectual company is always nice to have. I'll meet you up front after you're done with your purchases here?" she moved off. It was, of course, up to you to either collect (and pay for) your items or simply leave.

"I quite agree. Don't worry; I won't be long." After paying for the scrolls, Astoroth looked them over as he headed to meet the woman.

The eleven scrolls - all of which would need to be studied separately, given the differences in each - were duly delivered once payment was handed over. The woman who'd contacted you was where she'd promised to be, and exited with you into the blazing sun of Sothis.

"We're going to see Raegos." she said as you made your way onto a main road. "He's the only person who's been inside of the tomb of the Four Pharaohs and lived to tell the tale. The rest of his team died when one of them saw four glyphs within the temple and turned into a mummy. He's been... well, rather excessively paranoid ever since. You'll have to leave behind every piece of paper you've got, or he won't speak with you. Your friend can watch over them for you outside the tent." she said, nodding to Kozuri - the ifrit girl didn't look bothered by the idea. "Any questions?"

Astoroth dutifully deposited his various papers with Kozuri. There wasn't much; after all, his memory was almost always sufficient. "No questions. Let's meet this Raegos."

Inside this battered gray tent is a home of humble means, complete with a small cooking fire. The tent’s hominess is disturbed, however, by dozens of strands of string, intertwining in a complex web as they run from the various pieces of furniture to the bed at the back of the tent. The man who shuffled out was starting to bald, but more curiously, wore a thick black blindfold over his eyes. "Ah, you're here, you're here." he said, once your guide had introduced you. "Well, I don't usually talk too much about this, but the Society's given me quite a lot of help over the last few months." He kept his fingers on one of the strings, following it to a chair so he could sit down, and he gestured for you to take a seat on the chairs across from him.

"I was hired by an elderly scholar named Imivus to fill out his expedition. He brought ten of us with him, a number he said was important. Imivus had a preference for those with reputations for following orders and asking few questions. I was young, foolish, and desperate for coin. I remember Imivus was always in a hurry. He might have been an astronomer, because he seemed obsessed with the idea that his campaign could only succeed while something called the Ringed Planet was in its ascendancy and that his window of time was waning. He never really explained and we didn’t ask. What he did tell us was that the pyramid of the Four Pharaohs of Ascension was hidden on another plane of existence. I don’t know where, I just knew enough from the scholar’s description to know that it was a horrible place. Imivus explained that the pharaohs thought they would live forever after they crossed into the afterlife, so they designed a funeral mask that would enable them to call the pyramid back to our world once again, in case they ever needed to return."

"I remember the mask well enough. It was inlayed with gold and adorned with a headdress of feathers, dyed both red and black. After Imivus brought us miles to the southeast, to the base of four pyramids exposed by a sandstorm, he put on the mask. There was a great shimmer of light and a gigantic pyramid suddenly materialized in between the other four."

"The pyramid was a massive temple of green stone. I’d never seen anything like it before. Once deep inside, Imivus’s apprentice deciphered several of the inscriptions that littered the walls and floors. According to the inscriptions, the four pharaohs had declared that all intruders would be doomed to live out their existence as eternal guardians of the tomb. Apparently, anyone who saw the four symbols of the pharaohs’ namesakes would forever become enslaved monsters."

"At first I thought it was bluster designed to scare off thieves. I remember that Imivus ordered us to simply ignore the first few symbols as we came across them inside the tomb. But then Seraton, the party bowman, suddenly cried out in alarm, warning the rest of us to avert our eyes—he had seen the fourth and final rune. Moments later, Seraton transformed. He became a withered husk, like the embalmed bodies we had expected to find. And he was filled with a terrible, smoldering anger. I remember Seraton driving his entire arm through Imivus’s chest, exploding him into dust. As Imivus disintegrated, the funeral mask landed at my feet. I still don’t know why I did, but I remember grabbing the mask and running for my life."

"Everyone else followed. I remember the long terrible run back through the pyramid shaft to the exit, our numbers growing fewer and fewer each time I looked back. It was as though somehow the pyramid itself was pulling everyone else back into the clutches of the monster that Seraton had become. Only I escaped. Probably because I was lucky enough to have grabbed the mask."

It's Ravingdork! ;-)

"It sounds like you're lucky to survive that experience. Do you still have the mask?"

XD

"After I limped back to Sothis, penniless and frightened out of my wits, I sold the funeral mask to a merchant for what must have been a fraction of its worth, happy to be rid of it." he said, shaking his head. "I can’t remember his name now, if I ever knew it. I am certain the buyer had no idea of what he was getting. I only told him that it was from a pyramid of green stone."

"Can you describe its appearance?"

Since this is a PbP, here's a few other questions. Assume they're asked at a natural point in the conversation.
"If I may ask, what happened to your vision? Did it happen during your escape?"

"Do you remember anything about the inscriptions in the pyramid?"

"Where were the four pyramids? Could you provide directions?"

Knowledge(history): 1d20 + 15 + 1d6 ⇒ (10) + 15 + (3) = 28

Raegos, sadly, didn't seem to remember the appearance of the merchant he'd sold it to (although he did seem quite confident that it was a male, and either human or very near-human in appearance). Raegos hadn't actually lost his vision - something your guide was quick to point out - but had willingly blindfolded himself as a way of avoiding catching sight of the last symbol - which, he assumed, would trigger the curse and prove instantly fatal.

For the symbols, he was willing to describe them, but NOT draw them. The first was a double-ended arrow flanked by two arcing lines. The second resembled an unblinking eye. And the third was a pyramid above a half-circle. The four pyramids were to the southeast of Sothis, quite some ways away, and towards the south end of the Underdunes. They were hidden within a valley of some kind.

Do I know anything about the Four Pharaohs of Ascension, their pyramids, and/or other bits of historical information? Know(history) result of 28.

You hadn't actually asked a question with that roll, so... XD

Some consultations with your Book revealed a few important pieces of information about the Pharaohs...

(DC 5) During the third age of the black sphinx, Ancient Osirion was, for a time, ruled by a union of four feuding pharaohs known as the Four Pharaohs of Ascension.

(DC 10) The Four Pharaohs of Ascension were Anok Fero, the Cerulean Pharaoh; Hetshepsu, the Fiend Pharaoh; Ankana, the Radiant Pharaoh; and the Pharaoh of Numbers, who’s true name is lost to time. Although each brought different strengths to the union, all were equal.

(DC 15) Legends say the Four Pharaohs of Ascension were bound by a magical pact that intertwined their fates: they lived together, ruled together, and were fated to die together.

(DC 20) The Four Pharaohs of Ascension are a popular subject of study by Osirionologists from the devil-influenced nation of Cheliax. The tyranny of the Four Pharaohs is something of an inspiration to Chelish loyalists.

(DC 25) The Pharaoh of Numbers was both an astronomer and an architect. His passion was his study of the distant planet Aucturn, and some legends claim Aucturn inspired the magic that fueled the pharaohs’ binding pact and its influence infused the design of the pyramid that now entombs the bodies of the four pharaohs.

"One final question, if you don't mind: aside from those deadly symbols, do you remember anything else noteworthy about the pyramid?"

After the conversation has concluded, Astoroth thanks Raegos for his time and exits the tent.

"The tomb isn't that big... but it is dangerous." Raegos said. "Be wary of everything."

Kozuri lifted a hand in greeting as you stepped out of the tent - but out of the corner of your eye, you saw a halfling move away from the side of the tent and start running into the crowds.

An eavesdropper? How interesting... With a thought, Astoroth bent space to appear directly in front of the halfling. "Hold on. I have a question for you."

I can warp up to 35ft as a Standard Action. If I spend a spell point, that increases to 150ft. I'm pretty sure that'll be sufficient?

You'll need the spell point, but yes, it's quite sufficient. XD

"GAH!" He clearly hadn't been expecting teleportation to be in your bag of tricks. "Whaddaya want!?" the halfling said, reaching towards - but not drawing - what looked like a dagger. He was quite obviously wary of your intentions... and, having no idea if he was in danger or not, was erring towards caution.

Astoroth remains in a ready position but makes no hostile moves. "Simply to know who you are and why you were eavesdropping."

"All is fair in love and tomb raiding." the halfling said, defiantly unapologetic for his actions. "You do what you can to get information, and it ain't like I broke the law, so leave me alone!"

"Trespassing is frowned upon, at the very least. It would behoove you to be a little friendlier - unless you'd like to see what other tricks I can do. Who else is looking for the pyramid?"

"I dunno, five or six hundred people?" the halfling asked. "You're pretty new to this, aren't you? Investigating ruins is a nationally-sanctioned endeavor, and a pretty big part of the economy. Goodness knows there's enough of the bloody things to go around..."

"My apologies. I asked you a vague question. What I should have asked was, 'are you a general information broker, or are you working with a specific individual/group?' Answer that truthfully, and you may go."

"Yes." the halfling said - and he darted away. In fairness, that was a completely truthful answer... just not a particularly helpful one. The short figure clearly had no intention of being any more cooperative than he had to be.

Astoroth returned to the tent and shared Raegos' information with Kozuri. "Also, there was an eavesdropper who's likely planning to pass along what he learned. It seems we'll have some competition, which means we'll have to find the mask first."

"Well, it'd probably be a bit boring otherwise." she said with an impish grin. "Still, there should be some way of tracking it down. Let me think..." she tilted her head. "I suppose we could just ask around, see if anything like that is on display."

"Precisely what I had in mind. If we split up, we'll cover more ground. Meet back at our room in a few hours."

Gather Information: 1d20 + 17 + 1d6 ⇒ (16) + 17 + (4) = 37
Time: 1d4 ⇒ 3

Your efforts bore more fruit than Kozuri's - she was clearly reluctant to use her talents in persuasiveness, but fortunately, you were easily able to make up the slack. The first thing you learned was that a funeral mask was on display at the Sothis Exhibitory - but a little more digging revealed that it was just a replica. The actual mask was held in the Black Reliquary, a private antiquities collection. Emphasis on "private". The grounds of the reliquary were patrolled by hired Sothis guards, and visitors were not permitted.