Indus examines each item carefully and assists Sobek in appraising them. To those watching his face it is clear that his excitement has little to do with the items' monetary value and more to do with their cultural significance.
Once they have examined everything and carefully packed them away, Indus suggests they make haste back to the City of the Living.
Once they have examined everything and carefully packed them away, Indus suggests they make haste back to the City of the Living.
"Indeed, let's get out of here. I'm thankful that we have succeeded where the renowned Chester Copperpot failed. I will also be thankful for a long bath and to not see another bug for awhile."
Working as swiftly as possible, the Smokin’ Bask Brigade gather up all the different items and treasures from Akhentepi’s tomb.
To your relief, the rope leading out of the entry shaft is still there and intact, and the massive stone wheel is firmly in place in the open position.
With a bit of ingenuity, you manage to rig the remains of Akhentepi’s destroyed chariot into a makeshift cart to carry most of the chests and larger objects. It may be worthless as a historic relic, but it saves you a good bit of heavy lifting.
By the time everything is hauled out of the tomb and loaded, the sun is already sinking towards the western horizon. There is still plenty of daylight for the journey back to the main entrance, but the long shadow cast by Pharasma’s needle as you reach the large gates serve as a potent reminder not to lose track of time during your future explorations.
Fortunately, you make it out of the Necropolis without incident, although Sobekhotep is clearly suffering from the effects of the Iron Cobra’s venomous bite. Armed guards from the Voices of the Spire greet you as you clear the gates and cross out your team’s name on a papyrus scroll listing all the teams that entered. You note that almost all other teams are already marked as returned.
As you stop to catch your breath in the square before the gates, several lingering onlookers regard you with curiosity. Suddenly, a handful of street urchins rush up to greet you. Indus immediately recognizes the Plovers, the band of orphans he befriended earlier.
”Indus! Indus! We knew you and your friends would make it out safely.” calls Nasira, the cheerful girl with black curls and bright brown eyes. Behind her, Tariq “Quickfingers” casts an appraising look at your haul.
”Nice score – of all the returning teams, I’d say you have brought out the most treasure. Some of the others came out practically empty-handed, and some seemed to be missing a few team members,” Quickfingers says, then pauses as Farida, the shy girl the others call “Mouse” tugs on his sleeve and whispers something. ”Ah yeah….Farida spotted the woman with the large hat and her companions coming out a few hours ago. They were not hurt, and carried a few sacks, but the woman looked angrier than Grub after a week without dinner.”
The kids continue to chatter and offer to bring you fresh water and help carry the cargo as you contemplate your next move.
Seben scours the tomb from top to bottom. She tries to balance being respectful of the dead with being thorough.
Whatever she's looking for, she's not finding it and trying to hide the frustration of her disappointment. She's not excited about the loot.
Indus lights up in a big smile when he sees the Plovers and eagerly listens to their report.
"Thanks my young friends, you have done well. Better than I had hoped. If you meet us at the Tooth and Hookah in about two hours, I'll have Farhaan prepare a feast for you."
"I agree with your priorities, my friend. Check in and report, then head back to the Tooth."
At the thought of the honeyed crickets waiting back at the inn, Lueck's mouth starts to water.
Aided by the Plovers, the Smokin' Bask Brigade continue to haul their heavy load towards the Grand Mausoleum.
When they arrive, the sun is sinking down towards the rooftops. There is still plenty of activity at the temple, thought. The street kids scatter as acolytes arrive to escort you into a waiting room. Here, they help arrange your cargo, setting chests and urns against the side of the wall and laying out weapons and smaller items on a table. Others arrive with a light selection of food and refreshing drinks.
After a short wait, Sebti the Crocodile enters followed by a middle-aged man dressed as a scribe. You seem to recall that he was also present at the lottery ceremony.
"Welcome back, Smokin' Bask Brigade. We are glad to see you all safely returned from the Necropolis" the Pharasmin high priestess greets you. She motions to the arrayed collection of treasure.
"It would appear that you have been most successful in your exploration of you assigned site..." Sebti continues, pausing slightly.
"The tomb of Ahkentepi, High Priestess. Believed to pre-date the outbreak of the plague and hold the remains of a local military figure of some significance," the scribe immediately offers with respectful efficiency.
"Ah, yes." Sebti replies, gesturing to the man. "This is Sabu, senior scribe in the temple archives. He would greatly appreciate a full report of your exploration and a brief description of what you found and brought back. As agreed, all you recover is yours to keep or sell, but the Necropolis holds our shared history, which belongs to all citizens of Wati. Once he his satisfied that you have completed your assignment, he will provide you with the details for the next one."
Sabu the Scribe steps forward and makes a short, formal bow. "A pleasure to meet you all in person, Smokin' Bask Brigade. Please, relax and partake of the refreshment while we talk. Now, please, tell me...have you explored all of the location assigned to you and what did you learn about its history and occupant?"
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Sobekhotep bows politely.
"The entrance was blocked by a heavy rolling stone, and the initial iconography gave equal deference to both Anubis and Pharasma.
Immediately inside was a vertical shaft, and at the bottom was the body of a half-elf, who had clearly attempted to... 'explore' the tomb, and met his end when he fell, and broke both his legs. We left his skeleton where it fell.
Beyond that, we found a corridor that depicted evidence Akhentepi had participated in battles as a commander - bas reliefs of great battles, with Akhentepi riding in a chariot.
We also found evidence that he had a wife and two children, but lost all three in a great tragedy some time before his own death.
It appears that he enjoyed hunting, and had left numerous trophies in a display room. There were also two metal books, the first a brief biography of Akhentepi, and the second a list and description of the various military campaigns conducted by the nation of Osirion between 2350 and 2450 AR. There were also several scroll tubes holding papyrus records, private memos, expense ledgers, speeches, and private correspondence.
There was a preparation chamber, where Akhentepi's body would have been mummified, and a strange mirror that showed an illusion of (presumably) Akhentepi staring disapprovingly at anyone reflected in it.
We found a partially-finished burial chamber that belonged to Akhentepi's mistress, whom he met years after his family's death. Her name was Didibastet, and we learned some intriguing information about her: She was a priestess of the hidden goddess Nuit-Shaes; we found both a mystery cult book, and a holy symbol.
Thereafter, we found a false burial chamber, where the slaves who built it had been buried, and behind a secret door, the passage to the *true* burial chamber. We found Akhentepi's sarcophagus, and after determining that he was *not* animated, we treated him with dignity, and left his body in peace.
The hazards we faced within the tomb were traps, several types of vermin, and a few different types of construct.
I would say that it was relatively challenging (especially the final guardian - a venomous metal snake) - I certainly would not have wanted to send inexperienced delvers into it!"
Both Sebti and Sabu listen with interest to Sobek's tale, with Sabu scribbling notes with practiced ease. He looks over the the table to identify each item as they are mentioned, adding them to his report
"Most interesting and thorough report, I must say,"[/]he says. [b]"The content of the various documents and books would make valuable additions to our archives. I realize their worth to a collector, but perhaps you would permit us to keep them until tomorrow? We should be able to make complete transcriptions by then. In return, we can offer medical aid to cure the injuries you appear to have sustained."
Indus nods in agreement. "By all means, they should be copied and added to your archives. Only that way will history be preserved."
Indus then shows them the whip, they found.
"This, I believe, was a sacred weapon to priests of Nuit-Shaes. It is clearly enchanted and seems to have some power over snakes." Indus allows them to examine it before placing it back at his side.
Seben stays uncomfortably quiet during the recital and sips the refreshments, still glad to be out of the tomb.
The Sacred Ibis is not with her, glad to have the chance to stretch its wings amongst the sky once more.
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After Sobek's and Indus' erudite statements Diorio is feeling a bit left out. He steps forward in what he hopes is a dramatic pose.
"Behold! Look at my torn and tattered pants! Chewed and shredded by hordes of carniverous bugs that winked into existence and then disappeared only after trying to make a meal out of us. I will now need new pants."
Sabu looks a bit perplexed at Diorio's sudden outburst, but Sebti lets her dignified demeanor crack into a heartfelt laugh.
"You pants do indeed seem to have suffered horrendous hardships, sir. If you wish, I can have an acolyte pray for our Lady of the Graves to mend them as I will gladly mend you bodies and restore you to full health."
With a flourish, she raises the holy symbol around her neck and intones a short prayer to Pharasma. Healing energy washes over you all. Then she approaches Sobekhotep and lays a gentle hand on his blue skin as she casts another restorative spell that fully restores his strength.
After exchanging a few more pleasantries and handing over all books and documents, you bid farewell to the Pharasmins and head towards the Tooth & Hookah.
As soon as you enter, Farhaan greets you with a cheer and a smile as wide as his outstretched arms.
"Welcome back, my chosen heroes! Your little friends have already been by to tell us of your triumphant return from the Necropolis, piled high with gold and other treasures. I knew my instincts for spotting proper tomb raiders had not dulled over the years. Come, and tell all your tales while we celebrate."
The common room is already a bit busier than usual and more curious patreons arrive even as you enter and unload your gear. Layla and Amina are both busy serving drinks and bringing scented tobacco for the hookah's and judging from the sounds and scents coming from the kitchen, Imran is hard at work creating another heroes feast for you.
"Farhaan, my friend," Indus yells over the hustle and bustle of the place, ducking into the outstretched hug. "We have certainly returned and with plenty of adventure behind us. Did my young friends also tell you to prepare a feast?" he says with a smile.
"Once we have slipped out of our adventuring gear, we'll happily regale you with tales of our heroics, right gang?" Indus says, looking to his companions for confirmation.
"Yes, yes of course," answers Seben with another lie. "A feat sounds wonderful. Thank you."
Seben wonders if she might instead stick her head inside the maw of the Tooth and Hookah's famous crocodile.
Makin her excuses, she skulks upstairs to her temporary room, hoping to brainstorm better excuses to avoid the feast.
Having spent the last day in failure she hardly wants to celebrate in a crowd of the living.
I searched that blasted tomb from top to bottom, almost got some good people killed in the process... and all I have to show for it is more failed arrow shots.
Once secreted in her room, Seben crashes on the bed, trying to gameplan if she should stick it out for one more tomb, or if she should be reasonable. It wasn't too late to disappear in the middle of the night. None would find her, if they cared to look. From there she could re-think her plan.
"Excellent. I can have the girls bring the food up to your private quarters, if any of you prefer to rest away from the attention of the other guests. And there will be plenty of time to tell the tales of your adventures - in fact, I'm hosting an event for all the teams participating in the exploration of the Necropolis tomorrow evening. They are certain to have stories of their own to trade." Farhaan says with enthusiasm.