The half-elf finishes pulling himself up using Leto's outstretched hand, then eases Ptemenib down to where he can sit. "That'd be me. I'm Marnarius--spotted the priest being attacked by some people in funerary masks, and went to help. That turned out to be a tactical error. I don't know what they hit me with, but I went down hard. Woke up in the pit with Ptemenib. There was some arguing up top about how it was bad luck to kill a priest, and I guess I got the benefit of the doubt in that regard." As he speaks, he begins to reequip, starting with a Pharasmin spiral holy symbol and moving on to various weapons. "Someone ended it by saying they were going to leave us here, and then they all left. Ptemenib woke up a bit after that, though he was still in a bad way. I'd better let him tell his part of the tale once he feels up to it. I was going to give it a little longer before I tried to climb out myself, but breaking the lock from below might've been a challenge. Thanks for the rescue! And you are?"
"My name is Almathea and it is nice to meet you Marnarius. It is also nice to find you alive Ptemenib. Your little bird friend, the Psychopomp, was rather worried about you."
"Here, let me see about mending those wounds," the garundi man said as he squatted beside the injured cleric. "I noticed you leave the auction. What happened to you after that? About half an hour after you left, the auction came under attack from the undead, including a mummy. Only after we escorted people to the temple of Pharasma did we learn the attack was much more wide spread."
The priest coughs up a bit of blood and wipes it with the back of his hand. I followed a man I recognized as a member of a grave robbing gang, the Silver Chain. Unfortunately, I was side-tracked by an attack on some citizens. Shortly afterward three men in masks jumped me. I'm afraid I've spent myself on spells. He smiles weakly, So, there have been more attacks? That seems...odd. Where is Qasin? Did she come with you?
"Yes, we were tracking the Silver Chain when your psychopomp friend asked us for help. Qasin is it? I'm not sure where she slipped off to, but she guided us here."
"Mind if I stick with you for a while? I have no idea how to get out of here. I'm pretty good in a scrap, though, if you need a hand."
"That might be a good idea. We have no idea who we may yet run into around here."
"Ptemenbib, do you have any idea as to why you were jumped?"
Ptemenib, looking much better, responds, I assume it's because I was following one of their own. I don't recall the gang wearing funeral masks, but... He shrugs and finishes, I suppose they have some members that do.
He looks about, She's probably waiting outside. She doesn't like coming underground unless necessary.
"Skyblazer has the same opinion about cramped places like this. Always complains about not being able to see the sky being unnatural. Anyways, there's more to this complex than we have seen, the gang might still have more members here. If we're lucky, we may find some clues about what they're up to as well." As he spoke, Nevai checked each of the other wells, in case more prisoners required aid.
If you feel well enough, we can go and check the rest of the place. Stay in the back, i will watch out for you.
Beside the backpack and weapons there is no other gear lying around. There's also nothing in the other wells.
The priest nods solemly, I'm much better now, thank you. I'm of little use at the moment, but I'll gladly follow.
Assam steps back into the room from the hallway. "Glad to see we've found Ptemenbib. New companions, I am Assam Fadhrun, servant of the Everflame and guardian of the dessert sands. The hall remains clear, if we mean to move on."
Erei nods, lifting his hand in acknowledgement. Erei Jentis, trustworthy grave robber. And banner bearer of our agency, he says, setting the hilt if his longspear into the ground as if it was a flagpole to punctuate the point.
"Agency? Your names are familiar, but I can't place them at the moment."
"Ah, how rude of me," Nevai said, as he tucked his wand back into his belt then spread his hands out wide in a short bow, "I am Nevai Alaro, desert trader, caravan healer, and most recently, explorer of ancient tombs. Hopefully together, we can find out what's going on around here, and how all of these undead just bubbled up from nowhere."
My name is Leto, nice to meet you. What was your name again? You´re a Wati native?
"Not to interrupt our introductions, but I think we should really check out what's behind that other door just in case there are any other people being held captive here."
"Good point. We can talk as we go. Let me get a look at that door...."
"Marnarius, and I'm actually from Varisia by way of Ustalav. The Voices chapter there was a fine group, but most of the citizenry were less than friendly. Sort of the reverse of the situation here...." As he speaks, the half-elf examines the double doors carefully before shutting up and listening at them.
The doors are not trapped or locked. Though made of simple wood, you hear nothing beyond the doors.
"Ready?" Once he gets an acknowledgment, Marnarius draws one kukri and opens the doors.
Finely crafted antique furniture from many different periods crowds this chamber, and the smell of rich food hangs in the air. Books and charts crowd one cedar table, while a half-finished banquet of fruit and roasted meats sits on another. A living area with a bed and other furniture fills the southern portion of the room.
Six figures stand in the room all wearing funerary masks. Two in the far corners of the room with arrows knocked to their bows, but not aimed as of yet. Three others stand behind a man casually holding a khopesh and kuri in the center of the room.
We heard you coming. Normally, we prefer that people knock. His voice is calm behind the mask and the man is clearly used to having his orders carried out. I see you came for the priest. Nodding towards Ptemenib, he taps the tip of his khopesh on the stone floor in contemplation. We're not interested in a fight. You're free to go with your friend, but turn around now. This is your only warning.
"A secret meeting of people in funerary masks, a half eaten feast, and a city under siege by a wave of undead? Are we interrupting a celebration devoted to the Pallid Princess perhaps?" Nevai pondered, looking over Marnarius's shoulder.
The leader laughs heartily, then stops abruptly, No. His allies shift in place, but do not comment. I feel as if we should be insulted, but that's rather funny. I know I said only one warning, but for the laugh, I'll make an exception. But, there will not be another...
Leto looks around the room, searching for additional clues as to who this might be and what is really going on here.
He tries to make sense of the leader and his behaviour.
We´re sorry to interrupt. We were just searching for some businessmen called silver chain and our friend Ptemenib here. Pleas continue your feast, but allow me one question: What excatly are you celebrating here? And we´ll be on our way.
Assam looks across the masked company. "Hmm, a group hiding in the ruins of an old building, having assaulted and kidnapped a local priest, who masks their identities behind the faces of the dead. You have one moment to lay down your arms and submit to the judgement of Wati's authorities, or your will be judged by the fire and blade of the Everflame."
The man lifts his weapons, and the bows rise to aim at you. No. The leader replies. You may leave with the priest, or you may die. Those are your choices. You have no authority here.
"I am willing to bet that we could come up with a third choice. This whole setting looks just too nefarious to leave be."
Deciding that talking isn't going to get them anything else right now, Thea chooses to get things started by casting GlitterDust on the man talking and anyone else that is near him.
All but one of the masked men seems to have been blinded by the dust.
Almathea casts Acid Splash at one of the bowmen in the corner.
"I have the authority granted to me from on high, and you will be judged." Raising his falchion, Assam charges the leader of the masked men.
Surprised by Almatheas violent display, Leto wastes no time as the situation gets decided, shooting the not blinded man swiftly.
Erei will cast Grease to hit as many enemies as possible. If it is only possible to hit a single enemy, he'll target a bowman first.
Marnarius closes with one of the blinded enemies and chops with a kukri, but misses. As he moves up he draws another kukri.
Almathea's magic splashes against one of the archers and he sneers in pain. One of Leto's arrows slams into the thug and the man staggers slightly. Marnarius steps forward to slash at one of the blinded men. While the masked man doesn't appear to be armored, something turns the blade aside as the blinded man flails about.
The archers raise their bows and let fly at Almathea and Leto.
The two blinded thugs draw shortswords trying to defend themselves and both attempt to cast spells.
The third, un-blinded man, points at Marnarius, but the ray that sprouts forth goes wide. He then closes in to aid his friend while drawing his sword.
Finally, the leader shouts I'm going to kill you all!, while standing at ready. Unfortunately, while he seems undaunted, he still cannot see his enemies and is thoroughly surprised when Assam rushes forward and slams a falchion into him. The leader is standing, though only barely.
Erei casts grease catching two of the blind men both of whom manage to keep their feet somehow.
The unengaged blind thug manages to clear the glitter out of his eyes.
Thea staggered back from the force of the arrow and Nevai rushed to her aid, quickly closing the wound.
Erei will start to sing and move into position behind the frontliners to attack the nearest enemy with his longspear next round.
Thea gasps in pain as the arrow pierces her chest, but that is quickly alleviated by Nevai's quick healing.
Thea murmurs a quick thank you to the cleric before sending another spell off towards their enemies.
Leto grunts as the arrow pierces his shoulder, but plugs it out and fires back.
I´m gonna show you!
Shooting at the one who shot him and then at leader perhaps-
As his companions suffer grievous wounds around him, Assam strikes out at the masked leader once again, hoping that in defeating him Assam will break the resolve of the other cultists.
Marnarius continues to try to take down the blinded enemy before the spell wears off, whirling like a dervish and slashing with both weapons.
Marnarius strikes forth and disrupts the man's spell, then once again, something turns away one of his attacks, but the follow up lands solidly. The man falls in a heap. Leto's first arrow slams into the archer's shoulder, spinning him to the side. The second blasts into the man's skull and he crumples to the ground. Almathea's missile pounds the other archer and he staggers back against the wall.
The leader of the group growls as he sways around trying to defend himself. The growl turns into a guttural exclamation of magic that dies on his lips as Assam's blade slams into the man's mask.
The body remains standing for a moment, the man's head flapping to the sides of a gaping wound. It sinks down to its knees as if in surrender, then suddenly, as if finally realizing its own death, it falls to the floor.
The remaining archer, injured from his wounds, staggers back into the wall and pulls a lever revealing a secret door. Pushing his way through, he attempts to escape!
The remaining blind man attempts to steady himself and swings his weapon about trying to defend himself. His non-blind friend, seeing his ally fall, steps away from Marnarius, opens his mouth in a silent scream, and casts a spell.
Get one alive! And don´t let that one escape!
Leto aims at the guy tryibg to escape.
The half-elf shouts in pain and claps his hands to his ears, unable to act.
Erei will stop singing and move to attack the surrounded bandit. He'll use his reach to avoid getting in the way and wont take up a flanking opportunity.
With the battle turning, Nevai charged into the fray.
,
,
Thea uses her ring for another casting of Magic Missile and sends a couple of them arching towards the fleeing archer.
Leto rushes after the escapee.