Beakers, cauldrons, and other alchemical equipment crowd several tables in this cramped room. A decomposing body sprawls across the floor, its face concealed behind a brass funerary mask.
Audi looks into the room the dwarf opened also.
Looks like a bad Saturday night.
The gnoll grins.
Vernon moves over by the dead body, at least half expecting it to attack. "For once a dead body that is still dead! I wonder why...."
Perception
Rhade takes a closer look at the body.
Navir will follow Ra not liking people getting too far from the group.
Rhade you notice the distinct smell of gas which seems to be building up in the room.
Canetor, the mask is strange, it is clearly a funerary style mask but it is not from any of the known Osirian religions
”Anyone else smell gas in the room,” Rhade says as he quickly makes his way out of the stinky room, not sure what might happen.
|
Canetor is reticent about taking the mask to learn more about it as he doesn't want to disrupt the funeral rite which he takes seriously, even when he doesn't know the particular rite.
His thoughts are disrupted by Rhade. He sniffs the air and says "I don't, but we should leave. Some tombs are entrapped to discourage raiders." He makes a mental note about the mask to be able to describe it and search for it later.
Audi looks as if he had forgotten something in another none filling up with gas chamber.
He follows Ra-khefer.
Izora and her familiar follow the group away from the smell of gas
"Gas? Dead things and their #!!^!#@!! traps!!!" Vernon gets out of the room as quick as he can move, ready at the door to close it as soon as everyone is out.
Audi looks at the others, as they gather safely outside the smell like gas chamber.
So, who had the extra beans and chili?
The doors to the west open into a small room. The gentle lapping of water echoes through this chamber. Stone stairs descend from a raised platform into a subterranean canal that leads west. Loading doors exit to the east and the south.
|
|
Being more fond of the desert than water, Canetor says "I don't like the idea of checking this river. Nasty things live in the water and they're hard to shoot. I suggest we move on the other tunnel under the city."
As the others consider the options, he does a quick search in the room they've found.
Vernon follows Ra-Khefer out to the canal area. "Could be dangerous. But they probably used a canal for shipping. If it goes out of the area it could be used to haul heavy loads of cargo."
So a dwarf, two 1/2 orcs and a gnoll and a gnome explore some sewers...
”Im not a great swimmer, so I’m fine with passing up on the river too,” Rhade added as the group was moving on.
"Same here. I havent had much a chance to try swimming, and Khesina doesnt like the prospect either"
"I can't think of anything better than a swim. It has been a very long time."
Vernon and Canetor you find a few tufts of hyena fur and indications that a boat was moored here until recently.
Audi watches the two 1/2 orcs searching over the area.
Looks like we found their landing port. Which way to find them?
Vernon shrugs as he turns toward the rest of the group. "Seems they loaded up and left. Perhaps it's time to leave this hole? We still need to check out that Ghoul Market place. If they're dealing in stolen artifacts and such stuff maybe the temple will reward us for ending their operation."
The gnoll snaps his fingers in frustration.
Always late fer dinner, I am! That does sound promising! Yes, let us go to the MArket and ruffle sum feathers!
"We might have better luck finding them if we ask around above. I think tracking by water is hard. We can do that after Ghoul Market place."
"I'm willing to follow the tunnel and find out where it goes. It could be useful in the future as obviously the Silver Chains gang was using it. But I think we need to take care of the Ghoul Market first."
"Yeah, we can't abandon the city yet. Who knows what's still going on up there."
As you are leaving you find a rolled piece of parchment which reads as follows:
"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."
Hakotep...
”What kind of mask are they talking about, I wonder…,” the gnome says as he scratches his chin n
Audi, you vaguely recognise the name. Hakotep was an ancient pharoah, the son of Djederet 1 and a follower of Set. During his reign he was obsessed with a neighbouring kingdom and created several powerful weapons and structures.
The gnoll smiles.
Resurrecting a dead Pharaoh sounds real stupid. Om, let's keep an eye out for a mask that resurrect folk. Off to the Market!
Market stalls and small shops in various states of decay rise from the worn cobbles of this plaza. Rubble and bits of gnawed bone lie heaped in the corners. In this are you can see half a dozen ghouls.
Ghoul Market
Audi enters the Market. The gnoll actually begins laughing...loudly!
Hey! I actually thought the name was a misnomer! It seems to be dead on! HAhahahaha!
Activating his Death Blessing The Warpreist strides forward a bit to better be heard by the collection of ghouls.
Hey! You boys seen stupid cultists 'round about; or a mask?
Audi winks at the group.
Vernon readies his chain and advances with the other warriors of the team. "Ghouls.... Looks like target practice to me!"
Rhade hangs back, watching any untoward reactions as the rest of the group present themselves.
Perception
Emerald also moves up and casts a spell, ready to smoosh the ghouls.
As Audi speaks the ghouls growl and start to move aggressively towards you.
Rhade you can see what look like human footprints leading into one of the market buildings.
Rhade makes a mental note of the building that had the human tracks entering it and turned to the threat at hand, whipping an acid blast at the closest ghoul.
RTA
Damage plus
sneak attack
Vernon moves a bit more cautious than Ra-Khefer. He moves ahead but closer to the team, ready for a charge from the ghouls.
Izora edges somewhat closer to the incoming fight, trying to avoid obstructing anyone