Marnarius retreats from the room, trying not to breathe until he's out.
"Dangerous foul or just dead body foul?"
For the moment, Thea just looks through the doorway without entering.
Nevai didn't smell anything, but heeded his friend's advice and moved back to a safe distance.
"Do any of you have magic to clear the air?"
Let´s wait some minutes, i hope it will dissolve.
It takes several minutes, but you can no longer smell the gas.
On the body you find a dagger, a shortsword, thieves' tools, a pouch with several assorted gems inside, and a brass mask.
Marnarius crouches down by the body. "It looks like she was foaming at the mouth. And all the wounds on the body match this bloody dagger--I think she killed herself."
"Hmm, you think so? Think it could have been the gas that drove her mad?"
Almathea shrugs. "Well, if it was, then it was a good thing we waited for it to dissipate, otherwise it might have affected us as well. Let us just quickly grab anything that might be useful or valuable and get out of this room."
As soon as everything is gathered up, Thea is back at the door and ready to head out.
While the others look at the body, Erei moves to the valuables, About a 35 gold mask and something similar in gems.
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good thing we noticed that. What a senseless was to die. " Leto gives the room another look before grabbing the stuff.
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"We should gather up the bodies for burial. With the dead running rampant through the streets, I don't want to add more to their numbers," Nevai suggested and dragged the corpse back to the room they had come from.
Your sect’s efforts have been exemplary so far, but there is much yet to be done. The necropolis of Wati will soon be opened, and we might find clues that have lain hidden for too long. Transportation and means of communication will be provided. A gang of grave robbers called the Silver Chain should provide you with the cover and resources you need to continue the search. Once you arrive in the city, infiltrate this Silver Chain and bend them to His divine will. Move quickly. Once the Pharasmins open the necropolis to explorers, we run the risk of outsiders finding the mask first. Succeed, and Hakotep’s moment of resurrection will soon be at hand. I do not need to tell you how much I would loathe expressing the Sky Pharaoh’s displeasure should you fail. —Meret-Hetef
The bodies aren't moving...yet. They're rather easy to gather up. You believe, short of yet another hidden tunnel or hideaway spot, you've searched the whole headquarters.
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"Uhm, this doesn't sound very good."
Thea passes around a letter that she found amongst notes and beakers. It reads:
"Your sect’s efforts have been exemplary so far, but there is much yet to be done. The necropolis of Wati will soon be opened, and we might find clues that have lain hidden for too long. Transportation and means of communication will be provided. A gang of grave robbers called the Silver Chain should provide you with the cover and resources you need to continue the search. Once you arrive in the city, infiltrate this Silver Chain and bend them to His divine will. Move quickly. Once the Pharasmins open the necropolis to explorers, we run the risk of outsiders finding the mask first. Succeed, and Hakotep’s moment of resurrection will soon be at hand. I do not need to tell you how much I would loathe expressing the Sky Pharaoh’s displeasure should you fail. —Meret-Hetef"
"That's rather odd--it sounds as though the Silver Chain was being manipulated by someone else. Do any of you recognize the names--Hakotep and Meret-Hetef?"
"indeed odd. I didn't hear the names before. "
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"They are unfamiliar to me as well. Ptemnib, have you ever heard of such things? If nothing else, I imagine this cult's activity is likely in opposition to your own church. We should get this news to them quickly."
The name Meret-Hetef does not sound familiar to anyone.
"mh I think hakotep was an ancient pharaoh. I don't remember anything special about him in particular. I know nothing about the other name. "
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"I cannot recall anything about either of those names."
I've got nothing either. And I usually know my geography. Must be pretty obscure.
"bring the scroll along, perhaps we can ask someone or research it at a library. "
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"This gives us something more to look into once we're out of here. Thank you again for the timely rescue, and if you don't mind I'd like to continue to investigate this mystery with you."
[b]"you're more than welcome to join us. We lost some good people and can use the back up. Now let's get out off here and see if we can make some sense of these names. [ooc]
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[b]"you're more than welcome to join us. We lost some good people and can use the back up. Now let's get out off here and see if we can make some sense of these names.
Ptemenib has stayed quiet through this entire process. As the group seems to have decided to leave the odd golden-masked songbird named Qasin flies into the room and lands on a crate near the man. While the babbling coming forth from the creature is difficult to understand, you get the sense that it is quite happy to see its master. After a few exchanged words, the bird hops forward and opens one of it's clawed feet dropping a small stone figurine. The priest retrieves the tiny statue and holds it forth with a smile.
It appears that Qasin wishes you to have this, Ptemenib says, as he presents the miniature figurine.
Almathea casts Detect Magic and looks at the figurine. "Thank you Qasin."
"Thank you, Qasin. Master Ptemnib, will you want an escort back to your temple?"
Nevai scratched his head and asked, "What is it?"
Thank you for the nice statue Quasin. Let´s just bring back Ptemnib anyway. We have something to do there as well.
I assume we go to the temple.
The small bird bobs its head, chirps, and then takes flight. Ptemenib smiles slightly. I wouldn't turn an escort down, my friends.
Your travel back to the temple is marked by the occasional shout or scream that you hear from a distance. Despite these infrequent outbursts the city is much quieter than it was just a few short hours ago. You see no one remaining on the streets and no looters on your return.
The temple continues to be protected by the same knights you recognize from before. Though quite tired, they all remain on duty, prepared to repel any dangers. The same knight that approached you last time does so again as you ascend the steps. She is obviously exhausted. Peace be upon you. It is good to see you have returned. And with a priest in tow. We seem to have lost one less tonight. Pharasma favors you, I think. She beckons you to continue on into the temple. I'm to be relieved soon. The dead have made fewer attacks here but the city is still under the grip of fear. If you need to rest, you may do so here. Though I'm sure the priests would like to have a word with you. As if summoned by her words, two figures come out of the temple. Their normally spotless robes bloodstained by their evening's work. One of the priests speaks, her voice soft and obviously used to consoling families and the dying, If it would please you all, the High Priestess Sebti would speak with you. At your convenience.
"How interesting. The little figurine can summon up a ghostly attendant that can perform simple duties at its owners behest."
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"I would just as soon talk to High Priestess Sebti before we take our rest. I am sure we have much that she will be interested to hear."
The high priestess wants to talk to us? I didn´t get the impression we found something that worthwhile, did we? Probably means there are some other concerns and requests coming our way. Might as well be done immediately. Or perhaps after a little cleanup.
"We uncovered evidence that this whole thing was an orchestrated attack by an organized cult, not a mistake or an ancient curse set off by accident." Nevai whispered to Leto as they were led inside. To the attendant priests, he asked "After we speak with High Priestess Sebti, if there are not pressing matters that must be dealt with tonight, could you have an acolyte show me to where the wounded are being taken? I can lend Horus's strength to your healing efforts before I take my rest."
The priests soft response is almost difficult to hear, even in the silence of the temple halls. Yes, of course, Sir. We would be grateful for you help. The two attendees lead you inside and down a short hallway off to the side of the main chamber. As you approach you hear a loud, commanding voice speaking from within. While it doesn't sound like an argument, there certainly seems to be some tension in the room. Shortly afterward an armored man proudly strides out of the room and past you all with a respectful nod and a short greeting. Peace be upon you, the man says, as he rushes past. The cloak on his back identifies him as a member of the Voices of the Spire.
Entering the room you see the woman you recognize as High Priestess Sebti. The room itself is sparse. A desk, several plain chairs, and a table to the side are all that adorn it. Welcome travelers. I see that you brought Priest Ptemenib back to us. We are grateful. The city has many problems tonight. It is good to see that even those not from here are willing to help.