GM Zoomba's Secluded Tomb Siege (PFS 3-09 & 3-14) (Inactive)

Game Master Zoomba

Will Save: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (7) + 14 = 21

Anjo can't help but find the barking is unnerving. He calls out to Itka, "Mind moving over a step?" Anjo waits for the hag to move from her spot, he takes a step back, and starts to fire on the fey beast.

Hunted Shot 1w Frightened 2+Insp: 1d20 + 16 - 2 + 1 ⇒ (18) + 16 - 2 + 1 = 33 Damage wInsp: 2d8 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (2, 4) + 3 + 1 = 10
Hunted Shot 2w Frightened 2: 1d20 + 13 - 2 + 1 ⇒ (12) + 13 - 2 + 1 = 24 Damage: 2d8 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (2, 6) + 3 + 1 = 12

Strike 3 Frightened 2: 1d20 + 10 - 2 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 10 - 2 + 1 = 14 Damage: 2d8 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (3, 6) + 3 + 1 = 13

There's no immunity to having against this creature?

Will Save (auditory, concentrate, fear, mental, necromancy, primal) w/ Level Bump (+1) w/ Frightened (-1) vs DC 27: 1d20 + 13 - 1 ⇒ (9) + 13 - 1 = 21 @ Frightened 2

...the persistent barking chills our shady hero to the bone as he stands his ground...

Oops, GM is correct. No +1 vs fear against the scary barking.

Will Save DC 27: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (5) + 10 = 15 Hero point, slide updated
Will Save DC 27: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (2) + 10 = 12 Welp, frightened 3-> fleeing.

The duskwalker, who has met death before, feels this Cu Sith's bark resonate deep within every bone in their body. Zenith's mind spirals and suddenly they relive their past life's death as that memory awakens within them-- being hunted in the name of Zon-Kuthon. The memory comes to life and feel their former self flee for their life.

To everyone else, Zenith appears to be disconnecting with their surroundings as their eyes no longer focus on the Cu Sith and the kayal's head rapidly shifts from place to place looking around the room.

There's no immunity to having against this creature?

Not from successes or repeated exposure, but - and apologize for missing this earlier - Crit successes do make you immune for a day. Therefore Manny and Franzine are currently A-OK

Manny starts inspiring the room again as he strides forwards. His sword slams agains the solid amulet, but only grazes against it. Miss

Anjo is a bit spooked, but one of this three-arrow-volley pierces the cu stih. It continues to snarl and glare at you all, but the continual blood loss and wounds are leaving it slumping more and more.

Initiative
Inspire Courage up

Zenith 68/86 HP, frightened 3, fleeing!
Cu Sith 148 damage
Manny 35/56HP
Franzine 50/82 HP, Heroism'd
Itka, need Fort save, need Will save
Anjo, frightened 1
spectral figure with amulet
Moonlight, frightened 2

Franzine just continues to whack away at the big hound in an attempt to destroy the beast.
+1 striking longsword & heroism: 1d20 + 15 + 1 ⇒ (19) + 15 + 1 = 35
slashing & IC: 2d8 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (8, 2) + 4 + 1 = 15

+1 striking longsword & heroism, map: 1d20 + 15 + 1 - 5 ⇒ (19) + 15 + 1 - 5 = 30
slashing & IC: 2d8 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (4, 7) + 4 + 1 = 16

+1 striking longsword & heroism, map: 1d20 + 15 + 1 - 10 ⇒ (19) + 15 + 1 - 10 = 25
slashing & IC: 2d8 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (5, 2) + 4 + 1 = 12

Jeez. Three 19s? Ok. *shrug*

DC 23 Basic Fort save v Negative damage: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (10) + 13 = 23
Success for 5 damage.
DC 27 Will save v Bark: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (12) + 12 = 24
Failure; now Frightened 2

Terrified despite the logical part of her brain telling her that the situation is no more dire than any others she's easily survived, Itka tries to scare the cu sith right back.

Casting Evil Eye on the cu sith: DC 22 Will save

She then follows Manny's lead by sending a stray stone smashing towards the amulet worn by the incorporeal fool that just attacked her.

Telekinetic Projectile: 1d20 + 12 + 1 - 2 ⇒ (6) + 12 + 1 - 2 = 17
Bludgeoning damage: 3d6 + 4 ⇒ (4, 6, 4) + 4 = 18

◆ Cast a spell, ◆◆ Cast a spell

Will: 1d20 + 19 ⇒ (10) + 19 = 29

Itka stares at the cu sith, but it seems less scared of her than she is of it. The orc's projectile also goes wide of the amulet too. But Franzine delivers two fierce slices to the cu sith and narrowly misses a third. The fey is bleeding heavily now, and while it snarls back at the champion it appears on its last legs.

Also slight ret-con from earlier this round as I missed an element of the CP adjustment: Earlier, Manny's swing does narrowly manage to connect with the amulet around the sprirt's neck. It's metal construction absorbs much of the blow, but a visible crack is still left in it. amulet seems to have Hardness, but at least some of that longsword strike still pushed through it.

With the bard right there, the spirit moans and flails at him. It slips under Manny's guard once but as Void energy saps some more of his life force away he still dodges the second and third swings.

Spectral Hand strike: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (11) + 15 = 26 for Negative damage: 2d6 + 4 ⇒ (5, 6) + 4 = 15
Spectral Hand strike: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (4) + 10 = 14 for Negative damage: 2d6 + 4 ⇒ (2, 1) + 4 = 7
Spectral Hand strike: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (17) + 5 = 22 for Negative damage: 2d6 + 4 ⇒ (3, 2) + 4 = 9

Initiative
Inspire Courage up

Zenith 68/86 HP, frightened 3, fleeing!
Cu Sith 179 damage
Manny 20/56 HP
Franzine 50/82 HP, Heroism'd
Itka 57/62 HP, frightened 1
Anjo, frightened 1
spectral figure with amulet, amulet 2 damage
Moonlight, frightened 2

Hammid’s uses his last divine font to heal Manny, 3d8 + 24 ⇒ (6, 2, 4) + 24 = 36, continuing to sustain the animation spell!

Wormcaller strides over and claws at the amulet!

1d20 + 6 ⇒ (11) + 6 = 171d4 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5

Zenith spins around and blankly gazes towards Itka, "Run!" they say whisper firmly. The kayal's legs spring into action and carry them towards the room's entrance-- moving past both Itka and Moonlight. "Go now!" they continue to whisper as they exit the room with a look of dread on their face.

Actions: ◆◆◆ Stride x3

Moonlight heals a battered Manny but his skeletal creation continues to strike poorly. As this is happeneing the situation finally seems to break Zenith. The kayal retreats - encouraging their allies to do the same - and though once they've run a bit they're able to find their courage again, will they be able to return in time...?

In the room, the cu sith whirls to focus solely on the champion cutting them down. Franzine whips up her shield to block but the jaws still crunch around her. As the fey's teeth bite into her flesh it latches onto her hard. Grab.
Bite: 1d20 + 20 ⇒ (19) + 20 = 39 for Piercing: 2d10 + 11 ⇒ (1, 9) + 11 = 21

Then the injured beast tries to shake her around but she's able to maintain her footing.
Shake: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (8) + 15 = 23 for Piercing: 2d10 + 11 ⇒ (6, 9) + 11 = 26

Initiative

Zenith 68/86 HP, frightened 2
Cu Sith 179 damage
Manny
Franzine 8/82 HP, Heroism'd, grabbed
Itka 57/62 HP, frightened 1
Anjo, frightened 1
spectral figure with amulet, amulet 2 damage
Moonlight, frightened 1

"Hmp!" If Itka wasn't also affected by fear from the cu sith's barks, she would have no idea why Zenith is fleeing. As it is, she doesn't have time to spare her frightened ally. It's time to end the cu sith before it takes out Franzine. As her aim has been garbage this fight, she clenches her jaw and strides closer to the beast before spewing a swarm of cockroaches and centipedes right into its flank, making sure to avoid the paladin in its jaws.

Casting Vomit Swarm. She should be able to hit only the cu sith with the 30' cone from her new position.
Piercing damage: 2d8 ⇒ (7, 3) = 10
DC 22 reflex save

◆ Stride, ◆◆ Cast a spell

"Zenith?" Manny watches them flee. "Uh, we need you here?"

The ghost takes this opportunity to draw from his spirit. Manny feels Moonlight rejuvenate him and he corrects his posture. "Sorry, mummy called dibs on me first."

"Everyone! Hold it together for just a bit longer!" Manny switches to Inspiring Defense amongst his teammates- Franzine's grunt did not sound pleasant.

He only has time for one strike against the amulet. It's a bit harder this time.

Longsword: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (10) + 13 = 23
Slashing: 2d8 + 3 ⇒ (3, 6) + 3 = 12

"Shylye- shield me." A magical barrier forms around his torso. "Thanks."

◆ Cast >Inspire Defense<: +1 status bonus to AC and Saving Throws. Defense 2 against Physical Attacks. For Manny and the team.
◆ Strike the Amulet
◆ Cast >Shield<: +1 circumstance bonus to AC. Manny's AC is now 26.
↺ Shield Block: Manny will sacrifice his shield for Hardness 10 against the next successful hit.

Reflex: 1d20 + 20 ⇒ (11) + 20 = 31

The cu sith avoids the worst of the bugs erupting unsanitarily from Itka's mouth, though isn't quite fast enough to dodge all of them.

Manny's tone switches from offense to defense, though ironically his swing hits the amulet even harder this time, deepening the cracks forming across it.

Initiative
Inspire Defense up

Zenith 68/86 HP, frightened 2
Cu Sith 184 damage
Manny, shield'd
Franzine 8/82 HP, Heroism'd, grabbed
Itka 57/62 HP
Anjo, frightened 1
spectral figure with amulet, amulet 9 damage
Moonlight, frightened 1

Bloodied, battered, and bruised, Franzine offers a quick prayer to Iomedae before going into panic mode to keep from being killed.
"Not today, fiendish hound!!!"

She kicks, wiggles, and tries to pry herself from the beast's massive jaws.
◆Athletics: 1d20 + 14 + 1 ⇒ (9) + 14 + 1 = 24
◆Athletics: 1d20 + 14 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 14 + 1 = 22
◆Athletics: 1d20 + 14 + 1 ⇒ (16) + 14 + 1 = 31

Anjo was nearly stupified by how much damage this creature had withstood. Anjo had no recollection that Cu Sith were this formidable and had to surmise that what ever had tainted it was responsible.

Drawing his bow, Anjo was hoping Franzine's gods would be helping.

Hunted Shot 1: 1d20 + 16 - 1 ⇒ (10) + 16 - 1 = 25 Damage: 2d8 + 4 ⇒ (2, 5) + 4 = 11
Hunted Shot 2: 1d20 + 13 - 1 ⇒ (17) + 13 - 1 = 29 Damage: 2d8 + 4 ⇒ (2, 4) + 4 = 10
Strike 3: 1d20 + 10 - 1 ⇒ (10) + 10 - 1 = 19 Damage: 2d8 + 4 ⇒ (8, 6) + 4 = 18
Strike 4: 1d20 + 10 - 1 ⇒ (13) + 10 - 1 = 22 Damage: 2d8 + 4 ⇒ (1, 6) + 4 = 11

I think Inspire courage would have helped on that first shot

FYI, isn't the Cu Sith still pinned from my crit awhile back? Or did it spend an action to remove the arrow?

It's still immobilized, it just hasn't attempted to/needed to move yet. However...

Anjo unleashes a flurry of shots at the ceast keeping Franzine grasped firmly in its jaws. While the first arrow goes wide, the second strikes true. With a final anguished whine, the the cu sith's jaws go slack. Franzine can escape as the fey slumps down and ceases breathing.

Anjo: As it would have dropped from your first action, you have two left. To keep things moving, I am assuming you'd Hunt Prey w/ Recall on the remaining threat, then fire at it?

Anjo is able to confirm that spectral spirit is some form of undead, but not much else as their third arrow fails to connect with it.

With a skeleton now in its face but a living creature still right beside it, the accessoried spririt again strikes at Manny. And again its first strike afflicts the bard with void energy but Manny's various magical protections let him avoid the follow-up blows.

Spectral Hand: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (18) + 15 = 33 for Negative damage: 2d6 + 4 ⇒ (1, 4) + 4 = 9
Spectral Hand: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (13) + 11 = 24 for Negative damage: 2d6 + 4 ⇒ (1, 1) + 4 = 6
Spectral Hand: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (9) + 7 = 16 for Negative damage: 2d6 + 4 ⇒ (6, 2) + 4 = 12

Initiative
Inspire Defense up

Zenith 68/86 HP, frightened 2
Cu Sith
Manny 47/56 HP
Franzine 8/82 HP, Heroism'd
Itka 57/62 HP
Anjo, frightened 1
spectral figure with amulet, amulet 9 damage
Moonlight, frightened 1

OH WAIT....Anjo should only getting +3 on damage, forgot to take Inspire off damage, so that would have been 9 damage last round. Really hoping it doesn't have more than 193 hit points.

If 193 is enough to kill it, yes, those actions are fine. Anjo loses his frightened condition, yes?

As the fey drops. Anjo nearly drops to his knees, but the cold air coming from Manny's direction instinctively draws his focus as the ranger shifts targets and reflexively fires an arrow.

"Franzine, make sure that creature does not get back up!! There was a hint of desperation in the ranger's voice, something Anjo, himself, was bothered by.

*** Next round, which can happen after everyone ahead of him gets to take actions ***
Gathering his senses, the ranger pauses, retreats, and releazis that the sound of Manny's sword must have been coming from hitting the amulet. Anj fires another barrage of arrows, trying to hit it.

So oddly enough, you'd think a near miss on the amulet should still strike the ghost?
Hunted Shot 1 vs Amulet: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (16) + 16 = 32 Damage: 2d8 + 3 ⇒ (3, 6) + 3 = 12

Hunted Shot 2 vs Amulet: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (2) + 13 = 15 Damage: 2d8 + 3 ⇒ (1, 8) + 3 = 12

Strike 3 vs Amulet: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (10) + 10 = 20 Damage: 2d8 + 3 ⇒ (7, 2) + 3 = 12

If 193 is enough to kill it, yes, those actions are fine. Anjo loses his frightened condition, yes?

That would still kill it (not by much, but by enough). And you're still frightened though - the condition doesn't auto-go away when the dog does (I'd say the fleeing part would, say if the dog hard dropped between Zenith being ready to flee and their last turn but that's a moot point now) though it will reduce and go away as normal now.

So oddly enough, you'd think a near miss on the amulet should still strike the ghost?

It may well pass through it (the amulet is a bit harder to hit does to its much smaller size), but not through any vital areas (i.e. you can aim for the amulet or the spirit itself, but not both with a single strike unless it's an area effect thing

Only one of Anjo's three arrows hit the amulet, but the spidery cracks across its face are starting to spread rapidly from all of the blows against it...

Initiative
Inspire Defense up

Zenith 68/86 HP, frightened 2
Cu Sith
Manny 47/56 HP
Franzine 8/82 HP, Heroism'd
Itka 57/62 HP
Anjo
spectral figure with amulet, amulet 16 damage
Moonlight, frightened 1

Zenith bones slowly no longer resonate to the Cu Sith's bark, and the kayal finds themself stumbling into an ossuary and that helps ground them back into reality. They look around to find themself alone and with no allies in sight. With their their heart still racing and beads of sweat running down their face, Zenith turns back around. Stars, guide me they offer as a simple prayer to their pantheon.

They run back towards the fray, down a hall, turn a corner, and see the back of Anjo and Moonlight. "Sorry!" they offer with no further explanation as they slide past both Anjo and Moonlight. Before stopping their movement they take care to step out of the ranger's line of fire but remain within reach to offer others the star's protection.

Then with a simple flick of the wrist, Zenith throws their starknife and weave it between allies to the target. Too focused on not hitting an ally, the starknife clangs against the wall behind the foe, before making its return trip to Zenith's hand.

Strike vs Spectral figure w/ Eclipse (cold iron, returning starknife): 1d20 + 15 - 2 ⇒ (2) + 15 - 2 = 15
S dmg: 2d4 + 4 ⇒ (3, 1) + 4 = 8

Actions: ◆Stride ◆Stride ◆Strike
Reaction ↺ If an enemy damages, grabs, or grapples ally when both the enemy and ally are within 15 feet of Zenith: Liberating Step!

Manny cast Shield last turn, so he would have used Shield Block reaction against the first attack and take 0 damage.

Manny hears a quick "Sorry!" as his shield shatters. He's not sure if that was Shylye or Zenith. But Zenith's starknife glitters into his view and he smiles. "Glad to have you back. Let's finish this off!"

He Inspires Courage amongst his teammates before swinging twice.

Longsword: 1d20 + 13 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 13 + 1 = 17
Slashing: 2d8 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (4, 2) + 3 + 1 = 10

Longsword: 1d20 + 13 + 1 - 5 ⇒ (6) + 13 + 1 - 5 = 15
Slashing: 2d8 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (3, 5) + 3 + 1 = 12

And missing twice.

◆ Inspire Courage: +1 to Attack, Damage
◆ Strike and ◆ Strike

"Franzine, make sure that creature does not get back up!!"

With a sigh of relief and completely enervated, Franzine wearily pulls herself from the hound's jaws. As she stands, she drives her sword to the hilt into the beast's heart.

She lifts herself up and limps toward the spectral creature, dragging the end of her sword along the ground to keep herself steady. She stops at a spot near the summoned skeleton and waits for an opening to move in.
"If I go down... pour one of my... healing potions... down my throat." she mutters with labored breaths as she lifts her blade.

◆ stand, ◆ limp, ◆ limp.

Wormcaller again obeys, against his newly restored wishes, the divine manacles gripping his will to power, and yanked like a marionette, moves out of the champion's way, firing his shortbow at the hooded figure before him!

◆) Stride
◆) Strike

Shortbow (w/ deadly d10) vs Amulet: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (6) + 6 = 121d6 ⇒ 31d10 ⇒ 3

"ដើរ​ថយ​ក្រោយ​វាយ​ខ្សែ​ក"

◆) Sustain
◆) Strike
◆) Reload

Crossbow of Striking (Piercing) w/ Combat Mentor (+2) w/ Frightened (-2) vs Amulet: 1d20 + 14 - 2 ⇒ (16) + 14 - 2 = 282d8 ⇒ (5, 8) = 13

Aiming himself and his minion true, the two, master and undead, strike doubly for the jewel powering the strange hooded figure before them!

Zenith's throw goes wide, Manny's slashes are as limp as Franzine's limp, and the skeleton guest-star continues to flails wildly. But Moonlight's amplified crossbow shoots out a bolt that finally strikes the amulet hard enough to causes the cracks the splinter all across it's face. The item remains intact, but the damage done is enough that with a final silent anguished scream the spirit wearing it is drawn back into the jewelry. It talisman falls down with a clatter to the ground.

COMBAT OVER!!!
Zenith 68/86 HP
Franzine 8/82 HP
Itka 57/62 HP

With the threats subdued for a moment you have a chance to look around this room on the Netherworld. In one corner a ripped-off backpack contains multiple basic tools an adventurer's pack worth as well as four healing potions moderate and a long thin wand warm to the touch.

The amulet itself has been damaged by all your strikes but is still intact Broken condition - while its still broken the spirit bound within it can't manifest. On the back of it is the motto "To Learn, To Understand, To Embrace" which you've learned before is the motto of the Ardis Scholars

Smug, and emboldened by the lucky shot, Moonlight proceeds to take control of the situation, commanding Wormcaller to hand him the amulet.

"ខ្ញុំដោះលែងអ្នក។"

With a snap of his fingers, he dissipates the divine energy animating the skeleton, but, to his surprise...

...it doesn't crumble back into dust!

Feeling his own will restored to him, Wormcaller asks "Who are you? And why have you summoned me back to life like this!?" indicating his bony structure "I cannot remember what happened before this day - like a dream I suppose - but I do know that I know things..." he wriggles his limbs again, finding them spry "I do not remember my name, and suppose that I shall give myself a new one!"

Staring aghast and unable to speak, Moonlight is stunned!

He examines his gauntlet - Favored weapon of alshady Ng! - now holding the broken amulet, wondering if somehow...

...?...

He tries to Identify it...

"Hmp!" Itka heaves a sigh of relief when the last threat goes down and immediately whips out a scroll of Soothe to cast on Franzine. "Hmp. Been carrying this around way too long. No point in saving it forever. Hold still."

Soothe (lvl. 1): 1d10 + 4 ⇒ (8) + 4 = 12
Franzine also gets +2 status bonus to saves against mental effects for 1 minute.

Suddenly she senses a shift in the emotional dynamics of the room. The skelton speaks; she whips around, prepared to fight if need be. "Hmp. Moonlight? Care to explain?" She nearly growls, eyes narrowed.

Embarrassed but too proud and composed to show it, our shady elven hero "sshhhs" the witch while he concentrates on trying to pin the "blame" somehow on the amulet (by virtue of some flaw or complication he is soon sure to discover!) - and not his refined mastery over handling raw divine power!

"Oh, bless your heart, Itka. Thank you for that."

"I wouldn't mind chugging down one of those healing potions we just found, if that's okay with everybody."

The skeleton - once an orc himself in life (visible by training in both Society and Medicine?), but forgetting that his previous ancestry is near-completely obscured by an utter lack of flesh, organs, facial expression - approaches Itka, forgetting himself, in fact, perhaps unable to recall this own physical body dimensions (let alone ancestry), beyond a vague sense of feeling as though the woman whom he approaches is somehow "safe"...

"Your heart is open despite the frown upon your face" the ability to read warm expression fully intact "I believe there has been a mistake..." and as he speaks, one of the worms from Itka's mouth begins slowly crawling up his tibula "...that has resulted in my re-awakening in my current state. Please. I mean no harm. But I am once again gifted, or cursed, with sentience. It is easily as strange to me as it is strange to you"

Seeming to remember himself now, he withdraws in a micro-expression of existential self-disgust!

Anjo immediately shifts his focus to the unyielding skeleton and makes it his pray.

'What dark magic is this Hammid, speak quickly or I will take it down."

Anjo will Sense Motive on the creature.

Manny breathes heavily. The immediate threats are gone. Some of his swings were embarrassing. Shylye's probably laughing at him, or maybe she's worried about the Mummy's Curse.

"Nice, good job everyone. Uh, Moonlight, you can disperse the-" Manny pauses and notices a problem.

Always a point of conflict. "You okay there, buddy? I'm Manny." He sheathes his sword but keeps a hand on his whip. "Do you... want to be active again?" It's a conversation he's had too many times. The words say yes, but it isn't long until they rage NO.

He looks at his teammates, then back to the skeleton. "Do you mind helping us clean this place up? It's going to be swarming with Pathfinders any day now." May as well see if they really mean no harm. Because his teammates are going to come into conflict, quickly.

Scandalized by Anjo's threat then subsequently humbled by Manny's offer, the nameless skeleton presides over what to do only a moment... "I must prove myself not to be a horror"... our boneshod hero thus gets to work rendering himself useful "cleaning" the place (whatever that means!) by avoiding the likes of the reanimator, the witch, and the ranger, hovering instead nearby the bard, trying his best to measure himself worthy of consideration of equivalent sapience!

"I desire my second life, yes" is his short reply, not wanting to escalate the tension his mere existence engenders.

...the errant worm, meanwhile, continues to wind it's way up his femur...

"Alright, then." Manny swallows hard. "Don't make me regret this. But I'm gonna take your word for it." He extends a hand. Simple.

"We can bring you back to the Pathfinder Society. They can help you get on your feet." Manny winces over the poor choice of words. "And help you figure out your path."

Manny looks at the amulet. "We need to bring that back, too. I was going to exorcise the ghost at first, but, they are tortured. If we can release them, peacefully, rather than tearing them in half..." He glances at the skeleton. "Well, I'm a softie for people trying to do good."

Zenith remains in a state of panic for a few seconds after the last foe is dispatched, the kayal's face still looking uneasy as the bark still slightly resonates in their bones. After a few deep breaths, they collect themself and simply apologize "Sorry about that, I don't know what overcame me" without offering what they experienced.

Zenith approaches Franzine, "Your resolve is inspiring. Please, allow me" they say as they offer their hand over Franzine's wounds. lay on hands: +18

The duskwalker otherwise prays to Pharasma, give me strength. I am to cooperate with the society and not slay such an abomination. If the undead speaks to Zenith, they simply refuse to acknowledge it and only give Moonlight a disproving glare. Refocus to ignore the undead summoning

zenith would continue to cast lay on hands/refocus as long as there is time

"Oh, bless your heart, Itka. Thank you for that."

"I wouldn't mind chugging down one of those healing potions we just found, if that's okay with everybody."

"Hmp. Might as well." Itka replies, distractedly. Hmp. What is going on? At least this skeleton isn't trying to fight. Indeed, it seems to be trying to be helpful. She deems it best to encourage that track, lest discouragement lead to a violent rejection of its current friendliness. "Hmp. Well, do you have a name, newcomer?" She asks with less harshness than usual, though her voice still grinds like boulders dragged over gravel.

Feel free to keep RPing in the pyramid as you recover - especially as you seem to be leaving this room alone with one more individual than you entered with! But when you eventually do find yourselves ready:

After you've been mending your wounds and picking up the scattered gears and items strewn about the room, you hear Tetabu's voice call out tentatively. he-hello? Are you still all right in there? Speak once for yes, bark for no. Eventually reassured you are all alive and not food for the cu sith, the dwarf expresses relief and though he looks at the lingering skeleton strangely, he doesn't say anything directly about it. Tetabu's had a rough enough day already.

Once you're composed you can rejoin Tetabu and Janahar at the pyramid's entrance and once more walk the Shadow Path back across the bleak sands to where the Sandswept Hall is located. A quick message through your slate has the lodge activate the portal on their end and you can walk back through onto the Material Plane and into the cistern below the lodge. Venture-Captain Norden Balentiir, Kinlynn Silverstride, and Toruk Melgron are all there to greet you, as well as several medics who quickly take Tetabu and Janahar aside to examine them. The venture Captain congratulates you on your return, saying: At last! When Yawellis came back we knew you had made it there but we were starting to get concerned. But I see you got the others back as well. Excellent!

Tell me: what were you able to discover over there? Did you determine why so many undead might be being raised? Or why this pyramid seems tied to our basement? And what sort of structure is that place anyway? What is its nature, its purpose?

Manny stays relatively close to the skeleton. He's pretty certain Franzine and especially Zenith are waiting for a reason- any reason- to stop it. Honestly, Manny wouldn't mind a reason. But relationships are complicated. Isn't that right, Shylye?

Manny is glad to see the sun. "The rising sun has vanquished the horrible night."

He holds his arm for a bit longer to address the Venture-Captain. "Hey, teamwork makes the dream work!" He smiles. "That pyramid is linked to our Universe and the Netherworld. The pharoah's wife was there, buried long ago and now a mummy. Uh, I don't know what she was saying. But she packed a mean longspear. I hope she rests easy now." Manny remains solemn. "I think she was searching for her wife, stolen away by Set. I think someone was using it to transport between the planes. Maybe it was the mummy's vehicle."

"There was also an awful fake friendship demon in there. He got a mouthful of holy water though. He's dead. We also found an amulet containing the soul of one of the explorers. They are pretty hostile. Release them as soon as you can, alright?" He motions to return the amulet to the Venture Captains.

"And uh... one of the skeletons is sapient." He motions to the skeleton. "Come on, don't be shy. You gotta greet the crowd."

By the time the team has left the Nether Pyramid (the while, avoiding "eye"-contact with Zenith reciprocally), the errant worm has crawled into the center of our skeletal hero's ribcage, and swollen with perverted magic to occupy the entire cavity, curled like a breeched baby, constituting now the "guts" of the party's new companion.

"I shall take the name Wormcaller - for, as I was called from the worms and dirt, so too do has the worms and dirt been called to me" looking down to his now-filled chest "I remember not my former life, but I feel the circumstance of my new life, having brought me here, has done so for a purpose" straightening his thoracic spine from a low slouch to fully erect, fully confident, for the first time, he asks the vulnerable question of the Venture-Captains before him "Would you take me in as a recruit?"

Toruk quickly and eagerly moves to borrow one of the recovered Umbral Vises from you as Manny continues their tale. Hmm. Fascinating object. Detecting some energy leakage here. Esocteric design. Who crafted these?* While the Venture Captain and Kinlynn listen with rapt attention as Manny describes the pyramid itself. The Horizon Hunter rep furiously scribbles notes and Balentiir notes aloud:

We'll make sure to secure that amulet until it can be cleansed then. But you say the pyramid this path led to seemed to be mobile? Some form of interplanar vessel? The venture-captain scratches his chin. I've heard of planar vehciles of course, but something of that scope created so long ago - this could be a remarkable discovery on a purely mechincal level alone! And if it is also the resting place of a pahroah's consort and her forces...We'll need to arrange some further expeditions as soon as we can get the resources. Especially now that it sounds like you have secured it from threats.

The venture-captain nods satisfied. Again, you have my thanks for once again helping defend our lodge and rescuing our agents. As you've well faced yourselves we've had plenty of trouble with undead lately - he pauses, then looks at 'Wormcaller' -though I have heard some unusal reports from other lodges of certain types of those adjusting smoothly into our organization. Perhaps we could talk further over the coming days. Turnign back to rest of you, he continues But a demon was unexpected. As it this other group you mentionned presumably. These 'Ardis Scholars'? Do you think they are the reasons our lodge seems to have been targetted? And why, what have we done to draw the ire of that fiend of this research group?

*Those agents interested in following this lead to investigate this strange group of Ardis Scholars may want to keep their eyes peeled for missions involving Signals from the Electric Laboratory (4-06)

Manny feels a pain shoot up his arm. "Sorry to interrupt. But... I think it's my turn in the infirmary." He reaches for a note that reeks of mint and has a perfume stain, along with a name and address. "There was a doctor I met a few days ago. She said if I ever needed assistance, send a page and she'll come running." He's a bit woozy.

"Anyway, back to the infirmary." Manny excuses himself to get some TLC.

Though unnecessary, Itka follows Manny to the infirmary much as she did with Franzine not long ago. There is a small part of her mind that is amused that hers may be the last face he sees when he falls asleep and the first he sees upon waking, considering that she knows she's very much not his type, though mostly she wants to ensure that her teammate is properly cared for. The last thing he hears as he drifts off to sleep is a gravelly "Hmp."

"Hmm? The venture-captain says at Manny's comment. He notices the bard's injuries, and Franzine's who may have resisted Stage 2 today, but is also still afflicted by the cursed disease. Ah

Balentiir grimaces and looks frustrated, but says: After all you've done for us, our lodge will give you as much assitacne as we can. I can call in a few favors to get those wounds cleansed and cured. It may draw the Ruby Prince's attnetion a bit towards us, but it is the right thing to do given all your help.

For this scenario, the VC will take care of the curse clearing.

Zenith remains relatively quiet on the return trip back to the lodge, though they appear markedly happier once they've exited the pyramid.
finally, the sky...

Zenith shrugs at the Ardis Scholars question, "I'm unsure, but it sounds like a lead. The stars warned me of a tyrant that would be revealed. Unfortunately that has not been made clear yet. Perhaps in the future the society will form a group to investigate this further."

Once debriefed, Zenith follows Franzine on the way to the infirmary, "Hey, if you were still interested I can do your armor now"

Regardless of whether or not Zenith etches any armor, they are eager to find a place to sleep until nightfall and then place themselves under the stars.