Caslav gladly accepts assistance standing up. "I think maybe if someone helped bind my leg I could keep up." He leans heavily on his staff. "If not then I'd best rest before traveling any further, otherwise I'll just be slowing everyone down."
Accepting the healer's kit from the druid, Tairin bid him not move as she evaluated, cleaned and wrapped his wound/s.
As she worked and concentrated, she did interject with one statement, "You were brave against the Undead Xul."
Taking mins.
Returning 3+1+0=4 HP to Caslav.
"The bleeding has stopped and and your wound is clean and bound. Now you must rest and sleep, if you can. Samir will watch over you and Red while the rest of us search the tomb."
Samir looks at Red with a dark frown.
”This one has not spoken, but I deem she is safe enough to at least move.”
With that he stoops and picks her up and carries her back to the opening in the wall and moves her through it to the room beyond. There, he lays her body on the bed and studies her with a casual look for a moment.
”Would that you would show some sign of your sanity then assuredly I would be more apt to linger here with you… Yet until that shall happen I must leave you now.”
He turns and helps Caslav as best as he can.
”If, in truth, you can be aided by some healing then perhaps something may be done to help you. For now, I do not know what that shall be, for in matters of healing I am not nearly as skilled as the ladies in our company,” he adds, then helps Caslav to the next room where Red lays and does his best to leave him as comfortable as he can.
”I shall aid them in their search, then we shall do what we must to seal off that room, perhaps, so we can again rest as well as may be.”
Returning to the other room he does what he can to quickly aid Tairin, Bjeorn and Hedran
Even in the dim light you can make out that the chest itself seems to have no traps upon it.
Indeed, it has neither trap nor lock and the entire chest is not crafted of pieces of wood, but rather made from various pieces of stone which appear to be overlaid with intricate detail without any sign of resin, gum or mortar to conjoin their pieces – yet they do not seem likely to be sundered, but for the lid which is not strongly fixed, though heavy to move.
The lack of trap or lock seems to be strange, almost foreboding in many ways, for it is this seeming deficiency of defense which quickens the eager hand more readily to whatever grim contents may lay nestled in its shadowed hollows.
With a passing glance to her fellows who stand ready to assist her, Tairin uses her tools to pry the lid from its grooves and send it tumbling to the floor.
Calling to her the dim orbs of her light to aid in her search she does what she can to study the insides of the chest with better sight. Thus there is a convergence of her sorcerous illumination around the opening to that chest. Yet even that glittering luminosity shivers before the dark veil of unwholesome power that seems to ooze from within...
And there, sheltered in the nigh impenetrable darkness clinging to the insides of that opening, rests a black book bound with curiously made covers, withered and stretched like the warped hide of some sepulchered corpse.
Hope for gold or steel is dashed, for it seems that there is naught within the confines of the stone chest but this grim text, and for a moment all are struck with some insidious calling that seems to whisper to them all from the pages.
Spurned by that very lust Hedran’s hand stretches forth and pulls the book open to stare at once within its pages and his eyes widen as they roam over the thick, leathery leaves – but only for a moment – for they widen with some grim intensity as all observe for a moment what he stares on with a sudden, hideous hunger for, and it seems to all who look that a light shines from the very pages which strange writing dances and writhes upon; but it is no wholesome and healthy light to push back the darkness, nay.
Rather, the light which shines from the pages seems to drape over the muscle and flesh of the companions who look up on it; their skin feeling a cold chill under the leeching touch of the sickly gleam.
Samir stumbles back from the confines and his throat is instantly dry.
”This dark tome is worth much – perhaps more than any wealth we may ever dream of, I deem… Yet who would pay the coin for its recovery is, perhaps, one that I should not wish to have the bond of any debt between,” he says, but though his words attempt some effort of levity, his very voice is parched with tension and laced with fear.
With a shaky hand he then slams the heavy book shut and snuffs out that sickly light; but now the shadows seem to leap from the box to stifle those near to it with a heavy gloom.
”I shall not speak of what should be done or not in this matter; but all of my senses scream to me that this thing is not of our world, and its foul secrets are best returned to whatever dark place vomited them forth,” he adds, his voice echoing weirdly in the shadows.
”If you would take it to learn its mysteries then I shall not dissuade you, nay – in such matters to gainsay the wit of one who would arm themselves with such weapons is not my place; yet if you would claim this thing as your own then I fear we must part company, for I shall not travel with anyone who would keep such tools for their own purposes.”
He wets his lips nervously, his eyes inscrutable in the somber, unearthly darkness with hangs heavy upon them all.
”What shall you do with this thing?” he asks.
Red shakes her head and rouses slowly as Samir turns away from her towards Caslav, saying "I have been possessed by Ikhtanabu Xul again haven't I? What happened? Please tell me I didn't hurt any of you."
Red shakes her head and rouses slowly as Samir turns away from her towards Caslav, saying "I have been possessed by Ikhtanabu Xul again haven't I? What happened? Please tell me I didn't hurt any of you."
Samir pauses and studies her.
"That remains to be seen..." he says slowly.
"If you would know more, come to the other chamber and see what is in the chest... there may be clues within to how that possession can be utterly purged from you, if that has not already been done fully," he adds.
Tairin pushed at Hedran's hand with a hard shove so he would drop the tome back inside the obsidian box. "Do not touch it nor open its dark pages. It is not be to be trifled with." She levied a hard look on the ranger - at his recklessness for handling the book when he knew well enough what had happened to Red when she handled the accursed dagger.
"The darkness within this tome is more than this world can rein. It does not belong to us and it is the foul creature's tool and should be destroyed along with his remaining bones." I do not mind darkness, but the kind that robs a world of any light? This is too much, even for I, she mused silently. "None should possess such power as is within this book. It cannot be sold or profited on and we cannot leave it here for some tomb raider to find and steal. So, it will be destroyed, if it can be by usual means."
Removing the flint and steel from her pack and moving to the dungeoneering kit Bjoern was carrying, Tairin took a flask of lamp oil. Moving back to the stone chest, she poured just a little of the oil atop the dark tome (not too much to make smoke or smoke them out but enough to build the fire) and struck the flint and steel. She moved back away then and watched the flame begin to grow and lick the cover of the tome and the dry parchment within.
Moving to the rubble of what was left of Ikhtanabu Xul - his bones (?) - and using an old cloth/rag, picked up the bones and walked back to the box with the lit tome and placed the bones within and then stepped back, out of direct harm's way.
Red, somewhat recovered, moves into the outer chamber and takes in the scene. On hearing Tairin's dramatic speech Red asks "How do we know the tome is Ikhtanabu Xul's tool? It certainly seem's likely given where we found the tome and if it is related to this dead creature's attempts to return to our world it should be destroyed as you say."
Caslav remains in the bedchamber away from the party, but sits next to the hole and listens in on their interactions. It's right to burn such a thing. He thinks back on the night he fled Lamu and shivers. And any who would willingly use it.
Those of the company who are determined to destroy the book gather around it. Bits of splintered wood and strips of shredded linens are taken from the sleeping chamber the company had rested in and brought to the stone chest and the entire mixture doused with oil and lit.
The sudden ignition of the fuel causes the flame to burn and hiss as if it was clutching at the pages and wrestling with its dark contents. Even so, the fire begins to blur into a sickly green color, but soon it grows brighter and hotter, causing the company to back away from it as it seems to expand beyond the space of what normal fire should reach.
Even as it does, the dagger the company possesses seems to hum and throb with a grim tone, echoing over the stones and it suddenly becomes hotter and hotter to the touch.
Then there is a sudden sound of an explosion which echoes in the chamber and causes bits of dust and grit to fall to the ground around those around it, and a fierce, bright flash of light which then dies to a soft, golden glow in the stone chest.
The dagger itself ceases its throbbing and suddenly halts its noise; the sound ending and it becomes chill and a cool gleam shimmers from the blade.
At this a tingle washes over She of the Veils and a sweet release whispers through her locks and with a gasp of breath she feels a sense of freedom shudder through her limbs and mind.
Even as this expulsion of a foul spirit is pushed from their presence the stone chest cracks and crumbles in on itself and the room suddenly grows silent; only the collective sound of the breathing of the living can be heard.
Despite the destruction of the book and the sudden burst of flame the room itself does not seem as dark as it once was. Suddenly there is a more wholesome feel in the chamber, as if the darkness itself had become less stagnant and foul.
In that dim gloom a sudden discovery became obvious to all who stood there; the smoke which rose from the burning book did not fill the chamber, nor did it billow out to the place where the companions had rested. Instead, it drifted slowly back into the rear of the room and far above them.
Into the heights of the ceiling with the sorcerous darkness removed there can be seen a dim gleam far above. The company turns their gaze upwards and they can see that there – high above them – is a cracked opening in the ceiling.
The opening rests at what looks like the inside of a tall tower and though the ceiling of the chamber itself it is roughly ten feet above the throne, it seems that a skilled climber could reach the edges of the walls in the ceiling and so ascend them and climb the inside of the stone tower.
Samir peers up into the gap above them.
”We traveled through many challenges to reach this place; and I now suspect that the destruction of the book has not only freed our friend but it has allowed us to destroy some dark presence…”
”Even so it seems naïve to assume we could return the same way we have entered with no threat of danger which may overwhelm us. Yet there above us is what seems to be a way out that is likely unknown or undiscovered by the citizens of this place; else rumor of this dark chamber would be common knowledge.”
”If we were able to do what we could I believe we may ascend the opening above and – with skill and fortune – escape from the pits of this chamber and thus return to the city above and be freed of this darkness.”
”Should we do this then we would be free to go where we wish… though where that is remains to be seen,” he adds with a thoughtful voice.
It was with some satisfaction that Tairin watched the dark tome and bones burn and turn to ash and the oppressive darkness give way to a more pleasant feeling. Her eyes briefly strayed to Red to see its effect on her and then back to the now destroyed obsidian box.
Moving to the gap in the ceiling, behind the throne, Tairin gazed up and then listened as Samir spoke.
"The room's darkness has returned to normal. This is good," thinking of the possession and the Undead creature they had recently defeated.
"To return around the pit seems ill advised as Bjoern fell in and was wounded the last time we attempted it. He is not at his full strength at present. Also, Caslav is still gravely injured. I did what I could for him, but he will need rest or more healing once Red is able to magically assist him."
"I have no issue with trying to climb up there - we have rope and pitons to aid those who are injured and the less able climbers. We have been fortunate that we have not run into any of The Keepers so far. I would rather we did not and to leave sooner than later would ensure this. If those who are injured believe it is best to stay here for a few hours to rest/sleep, then I will not object. But my vote is to climb up and out of these Catacombs. I do not want to be here any longer than I have to."
Tairin then went silent to hear her companions' thoughts on the matter.
Peering around the edge of the hole to watch the strange display of Ikhtanabu Xul's immolation and that of his accursed tome, Caslav limps out into the throne room once the air has cleared.
"Let us not wait on my account." He turns his pale face to the party. "I'd sooner die trying to escape this place than trying to sleep in it!" He peers up at the sunlight. "Though I fear I won't be of much help getting up there, I'll pull myself up if another can gain the breach and lower down a rope."
While the others plan their next move Caslav rummages about in his knapsack and limps over to the throne. If I'm to pursue a profession as a linguist, I'd best make what studies I can. He retrieves a leather folio from the pack and opens it to reveal a writing set of ink, quills, and parchment. Taking a single sheaf of the latter and plucking a stick of charcoal from his belt pouch, he holds the parchment against the inscription on the throne and makes a rubbing of the antiquated lettering. He then spends several minutes double checking that there aren't any other symbols or writing on the fearsome piece of furniture before replacing all his materials from whence he retrieved them.
"Ikhtanabu Xul is gone. I felt his presence leave, finally, and I do not think he will return. My deepest thanks to you all. I agree with Tairin, both in wanting to get out of here as soon as possible, and if those injured need time to recover I am happy to stay until they are rested."Despite her serious words, Red looks uncharacteristically light hearted, even cheerful.
Bjoern looks at the other entrance and shrugs."It is worth a try."
Uncovering his straps and buckles he slowly undons his armor, collecting it in his backpack. Stretching his formidable muscles he jumps up and starts to climb, but not before tying a piece of rope around his belt!
Hedran agrees to the plan to climb up and out of the catacombs. He removes his lamellar leather armour and stows it in his pack. He puts his weapons away. Pulling out his own rope (two ropes are better than one), tying it around his waist and removing the pitons from the dungeoneering kit, he reaches/jumps up and begins to climb up after Bjoern, hoping to support the injured after him and support Bjoern before him.
======
Tairin looked to her remaining companions, "Cas, you should go next, Red, myself then Samir. I must warm you that I am not a great climber. I will depend on the ropes to climb up."
When it was her turn, Tairin stepped back and then running forward, jumped up to grab hold of the edge of the hole and using the rope, begins to climb up.
"Ikhtanabu Xul is gone. I felt his presence leave, finally, and I do not think he will return. My deepest thanks to you all. I agree with Tairin, both in wanting to get out of here as soon as possible, and if those injured need time to recover I am happy to stay until they are rested."Despite her serious words, Red looks uncharacteristically light hearted, even cheerful.
Samir turns and looks at her.
"I am glad you are healed, that is a good thing," he says sincerely.
"Once we are out of this place it means you will be free to travel wherever you would, but - no doubt - we shall talk more of that soon," he adds.
The bulk of what you see seems to be religious symbols. You are not sure what they are for (yet; though that can be amended with a Knowledge Check) and there is a recurring pattern in them. You cannot discern much of the pattern, but if you share it with the others they will agree it matches the sketches found in a text which they shared with a friend before entering the crypts. No doubt that the rubbings you made will prove useful when you share what you found with this friend – should you survive, that is…
Tairin looked to her remaining companions, "Cas, you should go next, Red, myself then Samir. I must warm you that I am not a great climber. I will depend on the ropes to climb up."
Samir watches the others.
”For now I will wait here until you ascend, then I shall follow after you,” he says, agreeing with Tairin's plan and then waits patiently for the group to climb.
After some difficulty Bjeorn is first to reach the top. He pulls himself out and peers around in the hazing gloom. Despite the dim light of this chamber it seems like a robust, warming glow after his travels below and the air smells fresher and more clean.
The floor is thick with dust and he looks up and notices that the light is still far above him, though there is a broken shaft to his left. Moving closer to it he can see that this light comes from a loose slab of rock; it looks as if something had covered a window with rocks or bricks, but – over time – the piled stones became worn and loose and some sunlight enters.
Glancing above he sees the shaft becomes increasingly narrow; barely wide enough to allow light to shine down from it. He is not sure what the time of day is, but the sky above is gray with a shadowed hue and he believes it is near to sunrise.
Turning back to the pit that the others would climb from he stops suddenly; for there before him are a series of figures which cause his heavy hand to drop to his sword hilt, but he quickly determines that these figures are – at best – statues of some ancient past.
Moving around the opening he notes the entire chamber is barely fifty feet in diameter. Casting the length of the rope to the chamber below he begins to haul the others up who would climb.
In time they all reach the room above and are free to peer about in the dull light. Tairin is able to light her magic. In the hidden shadows there are strange mosaics, and in them the vision of two figures – one resting in a golden throne high to the heavens while the other is resting in an ivory throne, deep beneath the earth.
The images show a high sun above the golden throne and as the image portrays the sunbeam descending but the patterns depict it changing color until it becomes silver and the beam continues to stretch down and below the ivory throne until it widens to mirror the sun with an image of a moon.
Yet besides the mosaics they can see that the statues which Bjeorn had first noted and you are all aware that they seem to regard the company with their somber, stony faces.
Indeed; there are three of these strange figures and it seems that each clearly represents some important element in whatever lore was young when this room made.
One of them stands with outstretched hands and in the palms rests a long, straight blade gleaming with a cold light.
Another has an upraised palm; the other hand stretched out and holding in it a strange globe of crystal like a heavy ball.
A third looks like a woman, but she is wears no clothes; her hand is raised to their mouth and their finger presses against their lips as if they are beckoning silence, but the other hand is low to the hip and wrapped around the lower half of her belly and before her it is laid open is clutching at a strange talisman.
Laying at their feet it a small pile of golden plates and goblets, as though they were left after a great feast; and though they are covered in dust it is clear that they worth far more than a few silver trinkets.
Samir’s eyes widen in shock.
”By the gods…” he says with a gasp of surprise, his eyes lingering long on the gold.
”This is a welcome site… but what does it mean?” he asks the others who are clearly more versed in lore than he.
As soon as Tairin climbed up the rope and onto the landing, she looked about, noting the respective statues and mosaics. "Do not touch anything," she quietly instructed her companions as she contemplated what these things were and if there was a way out.
I don't have anywhere near enough parchment to copy all of this! Caslav steps away from the statues as Tairin makes her investigations. Sun above and moon below. In the heavens, eternal day; and in the depths... in the depths eternal night. The woman has a secret, and cups her belly... Caslav quickly attempts to stop his mind from going any further.
There is an alcove on the wall which looks like it must have been a window at one point. However, someone has laid brick and stone in the window itself; effectively walling it up and preventing anyone from exiting or entering the room from the window.
However, the masonry was poorly done and it seems that – over time – the stones have worn and cracked; light shimmers through the cracks and you suspect if you hit the masonry hard enough it should burst it apart and allow you to crawl through the window to whatever is beyond – but since you can already see light shining through it you suspect it would lead you to the city, but you do not know where…
You are not sure completely, but you believe they are portrayal of the primary two gods of the city, specifically Baal-Khardah and Belit-Lil.
It is known that Baal-Khardah is the god of the sun; his followers are known to possess swords of great strength and quality. Unlike the typical scimitars of the desert folk his seem akin to the northern blades; they are straight and double-edged, like a long beam of light shining from the heavens.
Belit-Lil is the goddess of the moon and fertility. You suspect that she is naked and pregnant to represent her fertile status. The conjoining of the moon and sun shining suggests the bond between them.
It seems logical that the room be dedicated to the two patrons of the Susrah people and you think that the room seems dedicated to him and his mate, but for the third statue.
The final statue is somewhat enigmatic. You are not sure who it is; you do not recognize him, but after quick conference with those of you who have traveled to the east you recognize him as Yammosh, another major god of the Susrahnite people.
You wager that this place was some sort of shrine or temple to these three beings.
This would mean someone built a chamber dedicated to the sun and daylight; moonlight and the night and, finally, journeying and the sea.
Peering into the chamber below you wonder, then, the meaning of the final part; and looking above you would guess that the light could shine deep into the place beneath the ground.
You do not know the meaning of why that is, or why the room should have its window sealed, and why the treasures should remain.
You do not know; but you would wager that is connected to Belet-Lil. You would also suspect that a priest or priestess would have more information or knowledge about such things, yet you sense that it – like the sword – are at least benign items, the crystal strikes you as neither evil nor good; merely an item of importance, but you do not know what it might be… yet.
After your assessment of the situation Samir looks you all.
”We have fought hard and long to achieve much; yet here we stand amidst some well earned treasures, why should we not take them? It is true that the dagger itself was cursed when we took it before, yet it belonged to a follower of Yadar and his is a dark and evil path… few would say that is true about any of these three gods, at least...”
His words trail off and he shrugs.
”What do you wish to do now?” he asks you.
There is an alcove on the wall which looks like it must have been a window at one point. However, someone has laid brick and stone in the window itself; effectively walling it up and preventing anyone from exiting or entering the room from the window.
However, the masonry was poorly done and it seems that – over time – the stones have worn and cracked; light shimmers through the cracks and you suspect if you hit the masonry hard enough it should burst it apart and allow you to crawl through the window to whatever is beyond – but since you can already see light shining through it you suspect it would lead you to the city, but you do not know where…
Hedran motioned to Bjoern toward the alcove, "Brother, let us work these loose stones and make a way out."
Hedran withdrew the crowbar from his pack, and, leveraging it into the cracked stonework, tried to forcefully pry the stones or break them.
Once she has searched for traps or pitfalls, Tairin will turn to Red and Caslav, "Let us carefully remove the tributes. We can show them to Priestess Mei-Mei to see what she can tell us about them."
Tairin moved to the statue of Belet-Lil, carefully removed the talisman and wrapped it in a shawl before placing it inside her pack for safekeeping. In whispered voice, she implored the gods, "We mean no disrespect to you. We do what we can to survive. Please do not turn your anger on us." She then moved to help her companions with the other items. If my father were alive to see me take offerings and tributes from the gods, he would be ashamed of me.
At Tairin's command, Caslav comes forward and stows what forgotten treasures he can in his backpack.
Bjoern puts his shoulder into the wall, working hard and diligently to break free through the stone.
Finally feeling the fresh air again the proud northman takes a deep, deep breath. The air below was beyond stale and he longed for fresh air.
"We are through!", he whispered down, before donning his armor again.
After collecting the last of the treasures they had found, Tairin heard Bjoern say they were free of the Catacombs, "Good work to you both." Tairin moved to Bjoern's side and opening the dungeoneering kit, she placed some of the bulkier golden plates and goblets inside for discretion sake (and Bjoern was the strongest among them, even wounded). She closed the kit so no passerby could instantly view the contents.
In quiet, steady voice she spoke,
"Now, let us leave this place, however be mindful for there will be a few people on the streets and it is light enough for them to see us. I would not liked to be stopped for being a thief." The Belet-Lil talisman was wrapped and safely stowed in the bottom of her pack.
"Hedran, go first and lead the way. You are quieter on your feet than Bear. We must return to the inn and rest/sleep. Then later we go back to The Wet Embrace, wash and speak with Lady Mei-Mei."
Hedran nodded, donned his armour and put away the crowbar. Then he moved through the opening and out into the streets as quietly/discreetly as possible. He would find them the quickest (and less observed) route back to the inn.
.
Tairin moved through the opening when it was her time, being as quiet as she could. Once everyone was out of the tower, Tairin did her best to place the larger, broken stones over the opening in an effort to hide the passage from immediate view and preserve the contents of the chamber that was once air tight. A small, quiet sigh escaped her lips.
The company is able to get out of the window with as much stealth as possible. When they exit, they can see that they are facing due west, and that they are clearly outside of the city walls.
It seems that the sandstorm was fortuitous as huge drifts of sand had piled up high and close to the edge of the window, even catching the fallen masonry only about five or six feet below.
Samir’s eyes widen as he seems to recognize this place.
”We are on the northern side of the city. There is a gate we may use to the city, but it is a bit west of here. When we reach the gate I doubt the guards will pay us much attention as it is still very early and travelers approaching the city at this time of day aren’t often noticed.”
Turning back you can see that this tower must have been one of many old buildings on the northern side of the city wall; but it is not certain, for they are covered with huge drifts of sand. The tower itself was seemingly the tallest, and even its frame was largely obfuscated. Of course, based on what you can see of the stonework when you exit you suspect that these buildings have long endured a good amount of weathering over the years.
Tairin moved through the opening when it was her time, being as quiet as she could. Once everyone was out of the tower, Tairin did her best to place the larger, broken stones over the opening in an effort to hide the passage from immediate view and preserve the contents of the chamber that was once air tight. A small, quiet sigh escaped her lips.
Samir sees Tairin work and turns to Hedran and Bjeorn.
”Help me a moment with these stones; there is no one watching us for now, if we labor but a moment we may be able to at least cover the window opening and so discourage undue interest in the room we exited, at least for a short while...”
”If folk saw the room opened they may come back and investigate; the longer we can delay that the better things will be…” he adds.
Following Tairin’s suggestion the party then heads to the eastern gate. They see two guards, one of them seems to be dozing idly at his place by the wall. The other cocks his head and stares at you, but Samir hands him a few small silver pieces and the guard merely shrugs and ignores your entrance.
You can tell that the sun is slowly rising and folk will likely be waking up and moving about but luck is still with you when you arrive at the inn.
After a quick conversation with the boy who is at the door you are all brought back to your rooms and enter them and quickly bolt the doors on the inside and fall asleep.
Taking the sword of Baal-Khardah Bjoern gave him a few careful strokes. Feinting left, right left he smiled as it song a ballad of death.
An unseen smile appeared on his hard face and he nodded to the others.
"I guess you do not mind, if this will be my share of the loot!"
Taking the sword of Baal-Khardah Bjoern gave him a few careful strokes. Feinting left, right left he smiled as it song a ballad of death.
An unseen smile appeared on his hard face and he nodded to the others.
"I guess you do not mind, if this will be my share of the loot!"
Samir looks at the blade thoughtfully.
"Why not? It is a strange weapon to me; it needs two hands to wield, I'd wager... give me a scimitar and a dagger instead, for such things are, to my mind, handier in tight places."
"But you are a northman and they are more used to fighting in the open places, or so it is said..."
He picks up one of the golden trinkets and hefts it in his hand.
"This alone would fetch a fine price, several hundred silver pieces for this, perhaps , if not more... And many a fine night with finer women, eh?" he adds, then chuckles somewhat tiredly.
He pulls himself into a place on the floor, dragging his cloak and pack around him, clearly more comfortable sleeping on the ground with trusted companions rather than sleeping in his own room.
Before he sleeps he takes his waterskin and drinks his fill, then drags the blanket over his frame and falls to sleep.
Taking out a rag Bjoern starts to swipe and clean the blade, taking a sip now and then. You will need a sheath worth of your beauty. I have to find a master craftsman to make you a sheath! You will be may companion on the road to glorious deeds!"
Caslav accompanies the group to their inn, where he purchases a room for the night. They don't seem anxious to be rid of me, and perhaps even willing to give me a cut of this treasure! He hangs around the common room or lobby like a lost dog, giving his recent allies hopeful looks whenever they are present.
Red is quick to agree with Samir, saying "I concur. Caslav has fought at our side, risked his life and helped free me from a dread curse. It seems churlish not to invite him in to our lodgings."
Returning to the inn, Tairin felt the tiredness pinch at her bones. She listened to the conversation around her but was not entirely invested in it. She did see Caslav hanging back, waiting on something and she waved him forward, "Come, there is room for you with us...whichever chamber you choose to sleep in. You'd probably be more comfortable with the males. Red is not possessed any more, that I can see, so we do not need minders."
Unlocking and entering the chamber she shared with Red, Tairin moved to the clay pitcher, poured water into the bowl and then removed her veil and tossed it to the corner near her cot. She washed at her face and eyes, cringing at the fact she would go to bed with the stench and residue of bile still on her person. Quietly, to any companion near enough to her she said, "I will go to bathe and have my clothes laundered at The Wet Embrace after I wake and take some food. In addition, we need to check on Lady Mei-Mei's progress on the scroll translations. In the evening, I will need to perform for the patrons, here. Now, I will sleep." After washing her face and eyes, Tairin removed her weapons, boots and any other gear, (except for her pack which she kept beside her for the talisman was inside) and she laid down and promptly went to sleep.
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Before you sleep you ponder and examine the items in question, studying them carefully and bringing to bear the full amount of knowledge you have on all of these items.
Some of them fill you with interest, others with curiosity, and others with awe bordering on dread.
When you are done you collapse into a fitful sleep….
Results –
Your assessment is as follows; the golden items are worn and not unique in style or pattern. This is both good and bad. It is bad because they cannot fetch much of a price for being unique, but it is good because it means they will be easier to fence.
You suspect if you sold all the golden items you could easily gain 9,000 GP – this is roughly 1,500 GP of gold for each of you (including Bjeorn, Caslav, Hedran, Red, Samir, Tairin – all of whom helped earn the wealth).
The trick is selling it; if you tried to sell it all at once you would likely be considered suspicious. You think that, for now, you could carry it and sell various pieces. Your “Cut” of the wealth in pounds is roughly 30 LBS as one coin typically weighs 50 coins to a pound. Selling or exchanging them for lighter items might be a good idea.
Further, you would wager that the division of loot may be offset by the value of the items you have discovered and that certain players may end up getting more gold as not everyone will likely be taking the items, or the same value if they do take an item.
The sword is considered to be of excellent quality; but more than that, you would wager it is considered to be extremely sharp – as in, extremely sharp. You would deem it to be a Bastard Sword though it also possesses the Keen enchantment blended into it.
You would wager this is worth roughly 8,000 GP and would be considered a +1 to hit and damage (but a total of +2 via its Enhancement Bonus the Keen enhancement). You also suspect that the +1 allows it to strike at supernatural threats.
You are not certain at the full value of the crystal; at first you would wager its base value is at least 1,000 GP for the raw value of the crystal itself. However, you assume it is far more valuable than that… You are not certain, but you would wager at least 20,000 GP – though you suspect it may be worth far more…
You do not know why this would be related to Yammosh specifically, but you would guess it would aid in exploring new realms and sailing to distant lands; more than that, you do not know.
The person who possesses this crystal gains a +5 to all Spellcraft Rolls to Identify Magical Items automatically.
You can cast Far Sight once a day; however, the person using this ability must make a Willpower Roll of 25+1 per minute the spell is used. Failure to succeed in the roll means the user will be considered Fatigued until you rest for 8 hours.
The crystal itself allows you to perform Contact Other Plans once a week.
Use of this power grants the user must Roll on the Taint Effect; the DC = 20 + current Taint Point Level (note; each failure gains another Taint Point).
It also allows you to cast Vision.
Use of this power grants the user must Roll on the Taint Effect; the DC = 20 + current Taint Point Level (note; each failure gains another Taint Point).
You may attempt this power once a day.
NOTE: This item causes you to be both intrigued at its powers and somewhat intimidated/afraid. The power it holds is extremely great, far greater than anything you have encountered before and only have heard of in legends…
Firstly, the Talisman looks like This on Page 2 of the images.
It is clear that is connected to Belet-Lil, and the power involved in it must be very potent indeed.
You can tell that while wearing it not only functions as a Headband of Alluring Charisma +2 but also a Ring of Protection +1.
It should be noted this grants the wearer of the Talisman an automatic +1 bonus to DR which stacks with all armor.
You would guess this is roughly worth 10,000 GP.
With Yammosh’s crystal still in her possession, Tairin then attempted to identify the complete powers of the dagger, which to now have been a mystery.
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With Yammosh’s crystal still in her possession, Tairin then attempted to identify the complete powers of the dagger, which to now have been a mystery.[dice= Spellcraft to uncover more powers of Xul’s dagger with bonus from
Crystal]1d20+7+5
The Dagger itself is not specifically an evil weapon. It is considered a weapon of power that was created by a servant of Yadar, and he is not considered to be a "Good" god, (more like NE or LN, potentially).
However, as it was made by a servant of Yadar it grants a +4 to all Saves made against Disease to those who carry it.
Further, while it is a +1 dagger normally, it is considered a Bane Weapon for Undead, for Undead are those creatures which walk the earth and - by their existence - they keep the spirits of the Dead from fully reaching the icy grip of Yadar.
The total value is therefore 10,000 GP.
Bjoern would be content with 500gp, to buy masterwork Armor and shield.
Bjoern would be content with 500gp, to buy masterwork Armor and shield.
She washed at her face and eyes, cringing at the fact she would go to bed with the stench and residue of bile still on her person. Quietly, to any companion near enough to her she said, "I will go to bathe and have my clothes laundered at The Wet Embrace after I wake and take some food. In addition, we need to check on Lady Mei-Mei's progress on the scroll translations. In the evening, I will need to perform for the patrons, here. Now, I will sleep."
Red, who is making a similar effort to clean herself up as much as possible before retiring, replies "Aye. A bath sounds wondrous. And Red will not be possessed again. Gods I am weary." With that Red lays down and is quickly fast asleep.
After the examination of the treasures and their worth calculated, the items were distributed among the members of the group. Tairin placed Belet-Lil's talisman around her neck and under her shirt so it would not draw undue attention. Her fingers gently touched the amulet and she felt something move and grow within her and she smiled more brightly at the surety she felt wearing it. Tairin finished her food and drink (it felt good to fill her stomach) and then collected her dirty clothing. Looking to Red, she asked, "Sister, you mentioned last night you would come to bathe at the temple. I wish to leave now. Are you ready?" As she waited for Red to respond, she looked to the males, "Will any of you join us at The Wet Embrace? After baths, I will speak with Priestess Mei-Mei to see how far she has progressed on deciphering the scrolls." Tairin kept her voice low, even inside the bedchamber. Tairin fixed her weapons to her person, donned her cloak, picked up her pack and made move toward the door. She waited for Red (and any other) to join her and before she unlocked the door to leave, she spoke again, "We will return to the inn as soon as we are done. I have a performance this evening. Now, if you care to go back to your respective rooms, I shall lock up this chamber."
Once outside, Tairin used the key to lock the room and then pocketed it securely.
Moving down the stairs and through the lower tavern floor, Tairin spotted the innkeeper, Havar, and gently lifted her hand in small wave, "I will be back in time to perform for the patrons later this evening." She smiled and then continued out of the Black Dog Inn and into the street. Lifting her hood up over her hair, Tairin proceeded in a direct path toward the temple (the one they travelled the first day), subtly surveying the surrounds as she walked and being careful not to be readily seen/recognised.
Looking to Red, she asked, "Sister, you mentioned last night you would come to bathe at the temple. I wish to leave now. Are you ready?"
"Indeed I am. I feel like I have been being marinated in something decomposing." replies Red, screwing up her nose as she gathers her soiled clothes to be washed at the bath house.
"And you smell like being doused in urin. You should really work hard on your optic!"
Bjoern positivly beams going through the city, working hard to get accustomed to the feeling of the blade on his back and often touching it to be sure it is still on his back.
When the treasures are distributed, Caslav takes the dagger of Ikhtanabu Xul with obvious trepidation, carefully placing it in his old dagger's sheath. Perhaps if we returned this to the Keepers they might reward us... but how would we explain our possessing it?
After a night's rest the young Lamuran looks much healthier, if no less pale. "I'll go with you. Maybe I can be of some help with these scrolls you speak of."
Tairin nodded when some of the others decided to join her and Red on their visit to The Wet Embrace.
"Maybe I can be of some help with these scrolls you speak of."
Quietly, she responded,"We will see how far Mei-Mei has gotten with deciphering them. If it is needed, we can offer your services up to the Priestess. Thank you, Caslav."
Nearing the closed gate of the temple, Tairin moved forward and spoke to the guard on duty, "I am Tairin and am known to the Mistress of this hammam. We wish to speak with Priestess Mei-Mei. Please ask if she will receive us."
With a cautious stride the party elects to leave the tavern and stop to properly bathe themselves before they enjoy a pleasant performance in the tavern and discuss options for their next move. With wealth in their haversacks and gear of power and renown on their person they are feeling that sense of lassitude that only comes to those who have struggled with some mighty task that nearly crushed them with its weight and yet managed to triumph.
Perhaps this merry mood is the catalyst for the sudden grip of darkness which seems to have suddenly taken them all as they turn the bend of the street and behold the outer wall of The Wet Embrace.
Gone is the well-placed stone and solid gate. Instead, smoke licked bricks stretching in ugly angles from the opening of the remains of the gate greet them.
Signs of a bloody struggle can be seen on the cracked tiles of the mosaic of the grounds where rust colored stains of dried blood have blended heavily with trails of filthy sand that has pushed its dusty fingers within the walls when the party peers through the opening in the broken wall.
The party is not surprised to the see the absence of any bodies; after all, it is a fact that the priests of Yadar will take even the most humble beggar and bring their corpse into the sepulchered crypts below the city. With that in mind it is all the more disturbing to see the presence of the lady Mei-Mei in the courtyard itself.
Gone are her fine silks and robes; indeed, gone are all her garments.
She has been stripped and her corpse has been hung up on a cross which was crudely erected in the center of the courtyard. There are ugly marks on her flesh and it was clear that while she had not been killed by fire, soot and grime still cover her flesh.
Ugly slashes crisscross her arms and you suspect that she was wounded there while trying to ward off sword strokes. Flies fester heavily around a heavy wound which is rent in her torso on her left side; part of her ribs are now exposed and vermin have clearly feasted upon her flesh where her wounds where bloodiest.
Even a novice to death and violence can instantly deduce she was dead, or at least very near death, before she was fixed to the cross – and thus crucifixion was done more to display her body rather than as a form of execution.
Her head is slumped to the side and her eyes are glassy; her expression is one of pain and her long, gossamer hair hangs over face like the fingers of a filthy shroud.
Fixed under her feet is a crude sign nailed to the cross.
When the company sees this display Samir gives out a loud hiss through his teeth in both shock and horror, but he does not advance.
”Back – back,” he whispers furiously.
Samir suddenly moves back to the other side of the street to an alley and presses himself into it to avoid any notice.
No stranger at all to carnage and violent death Bjoern was still appaled to the cruelty in such a civilized place. But when Samir gave a warning he quickly followed suit and moved with him to the other side, dragging Tairin with him.
No stranger at all to carnage and violent death Bjoern was still appaled to the cruelty in such a civilized place. But when Samir gave a warning he quickly followed suit and moved with him to the other side, dragging Tairin with him.
Samir will quickly make a Perception Check -
"There... across the way... Do you see?" he whispers softly.
"I spy a man across the courtyard through an opening to the opposite wall. You can see him between the broken stones... Do you see him?" he asks, the continues to add what he sees.
"He wears a cloak and a hood shrouds his face, but mark his gear? He wears upon his back a bow..." Samir adds as his hand creeps for the hilt of his sword, clearly his mind tacking back to the mysterious bowman that the party has dealt with already.
"I do not think he is connected to this for his movements seem confused... Yet he is no native son of this city, nay... Such a man would not linger in the open for folk to see his presence and his interest in this carnage..."
The man with the bow turns and sees those of the group who have not moved back with equal speed from the streets.
"Ware, ware - he has seen us studying the bloodshed and he comes this way... What should we do?" he asks the rest of your company.
Tairin's body slowed and was fixed as her racing thoughts tried to make some semblance of the mutilated and hung body of Mei-Mei. In her mind she screamed - angry, searing, animalistic sounds that she dare not utter aloud lest those who had perpetrated the crime were still in the vicinity.
Her deep brown eyes had gone darker at the sight before her. Did the Yadar Keepers do this because of the scrolls? They had only been down in the Catacombs for two days. How did they find out Mei had the scrolls? Who did she talk to?
Tairin's red-misted mind fixed on the crude signage nailed under the feet of the late priestess. What did they write, these jackals of Yadar? Calm yourself. You do not know it was the Keepers. It could have been assassins. No! They would have been more discreet. Her hands clenched into fists by her sides.
”Back – back,” he whispers furiously.
But when Samir gave a warning he quickly followed suit and moved with him to the other side, dragging Tairin with him.
Samir's warning barely registered, yet she had heard it and then felt Bjoern's strong arm around her waist, dragging her back and away into the shadows and she did not fight him. Tairin pressed herself deeper into the shadows.
"I spy a man across the courtyard through an opening to the opposite wall. You can see him between the broken stones... Do you see him?" he asks, the continues to add what he sees.
"Ware, ware - he has seen us studying the bloodshed and he comes this way... What should we do?" he asks the rest of your company.
With anger still coursing through her veins and a possible threat in hiding and watching, Tairin drew scimitar and scorpion whip and stood defiantly against the bowman across the courtyard and behind the wall.
With voice both low and cold, she spoke, "Do not draw closer or attempt to harm us lest I cut your heart out. Who did this?" waving her weapons toward what was once The Wet Embrace with its mistress hanging dead and humiliated.
Red scans the area for any clue as to who is responsible for this and observes the stranger to see if he is what he says.
And comes up with nothing. "Anyone have any idea if this man is who he says he is? Red asks her companions quietly.