Mahmoud frowns, but doesn't press the issue. He shrugs when Tribim asks how to prevent their becoming undead, as if that is not something he is very knowledgeable about, and he quickly looks to Aerith to see if she has any insights. Then he follows Tribim when he presses onward.
Seeing that she was being looked at, Aerith stood up straighter and considered the question. ”There are simple prayers but they only last a day. To make them permanent but it would take the attention of an experienced and specialized mage and several hundred gold crowns. Which is why the plague of undeath continues to vex every nation. However, cremation, or having the corpse devoured, would keep the remains safe from all but the most powerful and tenacious of necromancers. For some reason, most cultures seem to reject such simple solutions. I, for one, have long believed that cremation, followed by scattering the ashes to the winds, is the safest and most practical option.” She finished with a shrug, the shock of having killed a real person being put away for her to deal with later.
The dwarf begins rifling through his pack.
"Burning sounds good," he murmurs, producing a flask of lamp oil. He uncaps it and begins liberally dousing the corpses.
After burning the corpses, you continue onward to the Sanctum of the Erudite Eye. Although the Sanctum's central nave is symmetrical, the rest of the structure does not conform to traditional architecture, with wings and extensions on both sides that, except for the uniformity of the stonework, appear to have been haphazard additions. A large dome over the apse tops the roof at the north end of the temple. The Sanctum is windowless, and the temple's exterior walls are carved with likenesses of the Nethys and other celestial figures.
D1
No doors block the grand entrance to this building-a wide flight of steps leads directly up into the temple's interior. Two humanoid statues flank the stairs, wearing black-and-white masks and holding quarterstaves. Just inside the entry, two rows of columns lead toward an archway in the north wall. Two smaller passages open to the east and west.
You notice that the building appears to be in remarkably good condition for its age - especially compared to the other structures in the necropolis. Tribim also notices humanoid footprints in the dust - fresh ones belonging to at least four people.
Before you're able to investigate further, though, you'll need to deal with the pack of skeletal jackals lurking among the columns....
”Ow,” says Epperson as Aerith pulls the arrow from his shoulder. ”Give my wand a go; that’ll do me for now.”
He hands over his healing wand to an ally who makes good use of it.
Standing so the dark smoke doesn't get in his eyes, Tribim watches for a moment as the corpses burn. It was better than the bushwhackers deserved, but Mahmoud was a follower of Pharasma so he understood the reasoning. As the flames die down, he gestures towards the temple, "Shall we?"
----------------------
Sheathing his new weapons, Tribim was reasonably pleased with how the Kunai's did against the skeletons. He puases, trying to remember what he'd been thinking before the dead jackals struck. Smiling, he turns towards the others and points to where he'd seen the tracks. "Looks like someone has decided to steal our claim. Weve got fresh prints headed into the temple,"
Moving over to the prints, Tribim takes another look to see where they may lead to. Pointing towards the prints, "Can anyone tell where these go?"
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Mahmoud studies the tracks next to Tribim. Together they meet each other's eyes and look forward to see where the tracks lead. Gesturing with a finger to his lips, Mahmoud suggests that they try to proceed quietly.
After using the wand to heal Epperson's injury, Aerith nodded in response to Tribim. "There is a very real possibility that this is related to the ambush we experienced earlier. We will have to be on guard when go inside. The only benefit I see here is that this group will have inevitably cleared something of a path for us as we follow them."
”Grave robbers,” Epperson grunts. ”They are the lowest type of scum.”
The dwarf’s bone-dry delivery is betrayed by the smirk on his lips at his own joke.
The tracks lead northward, but you quickly lose them, as there's almost no dust outside of the entryway.
D2
Space and elevation lend a sense of past grandeur and majesty to this large space. A large, star-shaped fountain with a circular pool in the center sits in the middle of the chamber. The bottom of the pool is decorated with a great mosaic eye made from tiny colored tiles, and hieroglyphs are carved into the paving stones ringing the fountain. Two rows of columns support the ceiling overhead, which continues to rise to a domed ceiling in the northern portion of the chamber. At the far end of the hall, a massive statue with arms raised overlooks the entire length of the temple from atop a raised dais. East and west of the fountain, two sets of stone double doors exit the chamber.
As you enter, you notice a strange creature hiding behind the statue.
Another corrupted genie! This creature is definitely an Aghash Div: an embodiment of ruin that can summon sandstorms. It's particularly resistant to spellcasters, but can be defeated by cold iron or divine-blessed weapons.
The evil eye! This creature's curses can steal your beauty and leave you a frozen husk of yourself!
Frowning as he loses the foot prints on the clean floor, Tribim's ears perk up at Aerith's comment. Hoping the elf was right, that the only problems might be another group, Tribim snorts, as Epperson comments about 'grave robbery.' Quickly gaining his composure he turns and smiles, "Good thing this is just a temple right."
Looking back into the room, Tribim see's movement on the podium behind the statue, Moving towards the east around the fountain, Tribim begins to draw his gladiuses, gesturing back towards Epperson. "Hey Epp, you want to go to the other side, maybe outflank the fellow."
Mahmoud narrows his eyes at the outsider facing them, and when he hears information about what they are facing from Aerith, he swaps his magical dagger for a cold iron dagger instead.
Epperson comes to life, his normal dour persona replaced by something....engaged, enthusiastic.....excited?!
"That is no mere fellow, comrade - that is a curse-bringer! An aghash! Oh, this is my day! Time to squash some curses or die trying!"
Epperson paces forward, fanning out to the side as suggested.
Epperson comes to life, his normal dour persona replaced by something....engaged, enthusiastic.....excited?!
"That is no mere fellow, comrade - that is a curse-bringer! An aghash! Oh, this is my day! Time to squash some curses or die trying!"
Epperson paces forward, fanning out to the side as suggested.
Aerith cautiously advanced, taking a point behind Tribm. As she moved, her blade floated alongside of her, ready to be sent flying towards the creature. She felt the gnaw of anxiety as she moved forward, for she knew about what they were facing through naught but book learning. She truly hoped that it would not be as horrific in the flesh.
As the creature emerges from behind the statue, a sandstorm erupts from within its wrappings, obscuring it from sight.
New Round
Watching the creature emerge from behind the statue, Tribim figures he'll be able to move and feint. But as the sandstorm erupts and he loses sight of the corrupted genie, he holds his ground. Knowing Aerith is beside him, Mahmoud somewhere behind and Epperson where he can barely see him, he asks, calling out over the storm. "We wait here for it to come within reach?" He shifts his feet moving closer to Epperson, keeping his blades ready to attack if the creature nears.
Aerith opened her mouth to voice her agreement but it was soon filled with sand. Sputtering and coughing in discomfort she held her ground, willing her blade to float at the ready so that it might attack or defend as needed.
Mahmoud moves forward through the storm, towards where he saw the corrupted genie last. "Might be wise to spread out," he suggests above the wind. He blindly throws his cold iron dagger at the div, confident that he can ricochet it back to his hand whether he hits or misses.
"Ha-hah-hah-ah-hah!" Epperson laughs, seemingly-undeterred by the sand particles entering his mouth. The dwarf moves forward in the direction where the aghash was last seen prior to the appearance of the sandstorm. "It's tricks are well-known, this curse-bringer! It won't stop me from seeking its end! HA-HA-HA!"
Epperson sounds a bit maniacal as he spies the form of the aghash and applies his own curse.
While Aerith saw the wisdom in Mahmoud’s words, she did *not* want to be alone and unprotected with such low visibility. She kept pace with Epperson, knowing that she could see over his head and that he would still protect her. Unable to see the foe, she kept her weapon floating next to the two of them so that she could offer protection against any attack that would come.
Mahmoud's dagger comes back bloody, but Epperson's curse is effortlessly shrugged off. In response, the creature glares at the dwarf and attempts to drain his very life away.
Seeing the creature, Aerith willed her blade to fly out and attack...
Parry
You may use the Catch function of telekinesis to block attacks with melee weapons, though they retain their hold on their weapon even if you successfully block their attack.
Catch
If using telekinesis on a projectile or thrown object within your size limit (often as a readied action), you may stop the attack from dealing damage. The originator of the attack (the creature who threw the projectile, etc.) is allowed a Will save to negate this ability.
Mahmoud moves closer, close enough to see the div through the whirling dust and sand, and continues throwing his cold iron dagger at it.
Seeing his friends head towards the dias, Tribim throws an arm up to block the sand and follows behind. Keeping to Epperson's left he sees the fey creature. Moving it's direction he fients towards its arm with the gladius in his right hand. Turning the blade towards it's neck, he slashes at its gut with the gladius in his let hand.
The dwarf giggles mirthfully, talking to himself as he swings his flail. ”Thank you, Groetus, for sending me a challenge to prove my worth!”
He then crab-walks around the aghash, giggling as he sets up a flanking opportunity for his allies.
Epperson's and Aerith's attacks connect, but they don't seem to be quite as effective as Mahmoud's cold iron daggers, which are looking quite bloody. The aghash sidesteps away from Epperson's flank and lashes out at Tribim with razor-sharp claws.
[dice=Attack, Adamantine Flail]1d20+4;1d8+2
"Ow!" Feeling the creatures claws bite into his side, Tribim cries out, as he watches the battle unfold. Seeing Epperson had stepped to the other side of the Fey, he steps opposite of the dwarf, setting a flank. Feinting towards its neck with the gladius in his right hand. Turning the blade towards side, he slashes at its upper thigh with the gladius in his left hand.
Mahmoud circles behind the creature, remaining close enough that he can see it through the sandstorm, and continues throwing his cold iron dagger at it.
Trying to repeat her previous success, Aerith sent the sword flying out, but it went wide.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------- -
Mahmoud's pair of attacks finish off the aghash, causing the sandstorm to dissipate as well.
Mahmoud gestures to the others for quiet, listening intently now that the wind has died down. He looks around with an expression indicating that those who made the tracks they were following are likely nearby if they heard the sounds of battle.
Epperson doesn’t seem to notice Mahmoud’s directions to stay silent.
The normally-grim dwarf hacks at the ground where the aghash dissipates, whooping and cheering.
Chuckling a the dwarves whooping and cheering, Tribim nods, "Well done Epperson, well done."
Quickly taking in the room again, he pauses taking in the massive statue with arms raised overlooks the entire length of the temple from atop a raised dais. Nodding towards the statue he asks, "Anyone recognize him?"
After inspecting the statue for a second, he moves to the near opening on the west, "Pity we lost the tracks. May as well start looking here."
The statue is constructed from two types of stone, leaving half of it black and the other half white. The octagonal dais it stands on is tiled in black marble with a striking white top. These facts, combined with the name of the building make it clear that the statue is a depiction of Nethys.
D9 - Library
Rows of stone shelves fill this crowded room. Most of the books and scrolls once stored here have disintegrated over time, but a few volumes engraved on more durable materials still endure. Numerous scroll tubes litter the floor of the room amid the dusty remains of ruined paper and papyrus. A solitary door is set into the western wall.
All of you notice recent tracks here. At least four people appear to have present within the last 24 hours.
"Time marches on inexorably, patient and merciful to none...."
Epperson frowns at the tracks on the floor, breaking his recently-recovered gloomy train of thought.
"Sentries posted outside of this place....and recent tracks present of four humanoids in this otherwise-deserted temple to Nethys. Wasn't there another band of adventurers at the Tooth that wanted to search this very place? The Scorched Hand was their band's name, if I remember now - wasn't their leader a Taldan woman?"
The dwarf grips his flail and shield a bit tighter but lets out a faint chuckle. "Ha. Grave robbers robbing grave robbers. Groetus take us all - is this where we've come to?"
Mahmoud stoops to examine the scroll tubes, curious if any of them seem to be intact. He notes that the door leading out of the library is closed, and mutters in a low voice, "It would seem our quarry went that way. I wonder how they prevented the div from attacking them."
Chuckling at Epperson's comment, Tribim answers, "It seems this is where we've come to. Maybe when were done, we'll have a conversation with the 'Scorched Hands',"
Moving into the library, trying not to disturb the tracks, Tribim furrows his brow, Maybe as worshipers of Nethys they were protected from the guardian."
He looks back towards the prints, "The bigger question is if they left the room through the single door or back the way they came."
As he speaks he moves towards the door, looking both for prints and any traps or tampering with the door.
”A good theory.” Aerith added. ”We will have to operate under the assumption that they will be unhindered by any similar defenses.” The lack of any signs of conflict certainly added to that conclusion.
Mahmoud discovers an unrolled papyrus scroll of potential interest. It's written in Ancient Osiriani and describes how magicians of Osirian's First Age could alter elementals to new forms and purposes. The type described in this text is an 'ahkhat' - an elemental bound to the very structure of a building using a 'keystone' and used to preserve and protect it. Keystones are typically integrated into a structure's foundation and then well-concealed, as possessing one allows an individual to control the associated ahkhat - and thus the building itself.
Unfortunately for Tribim, the tracks are sporadic, and there aren't enough to effectively track. He does, however, discover a secret panel in the western wall. It's locked, but not trapped. As soon as you open it, a scroll flies out and attempts to wrap itself around his head!
Epperson considers the fluttering paper and then his flail, realising that his weapon is poorly-matched to the task at hand.
”A knife would be handy. Alas, I don’t have one.”
Smilng as the secret panel opens, Tribims eyes go wide as 'something' jumps out at him. He begins to scream, but it comes out a muffled "Mmmmrrrrrmmmmffffffff" Stumbling around blind and unable to breath as the thing gnaws at him, the back of his mind begins to race. Realizng there was a very real possibility that a 'Piece of paper' may kill him he tries to rip and tear it off his face.
Aerith paused, waiting to see if her comrade could break free. If he failed she was ready to teleport him to safety. But if he could? Then her blade was at the ready.
Mahmoud blinks in surprise, then quickly moves closer and grabs at the scroll to try and pull it off of Tribim.
Tribim rips the scroll off of his face, and Mahmoud grabs it before it can attack again. Aerith's flying blade stabs through it, but it continues to flap threateningly.
Epperson looks around, looks at the scroll, shrugs, and....
The scroll falls limp in Mahmoud's grasp for a few seconds before suddenly attempting to break free and leap onto the warrior's face!