Breathing a sigh of relief, her tail swished contentedly back and forth before Aerith’s form shimmered and went back to being that of an elf. ”Thank you both. I was worried that-ah, it doesn’t matter.” Her entire life she had been warned about the danger of revealing oneself. Knowing that her companions, at least, were not so prejudiced made it feel like a weight had been lifted off her shoulders.
——
Nodding at Mahmoud’s question, she waited to hear what instructions the priestess had for them.
Skipping along with his fellow 'Shadows' Tribim tries not to fidget as they speak with the high priestess.
"I suspect the undead scourge is being caused by the Amushet. They're a cult of atheist lamias that we've had issue with before. They inhabit the Cenotaph of the Cynic in the necropolis but have been known to enter the city, take paramours, and release them after blinding them and driving them insane. I believe the increased amount of activity in the necropolis due to adventuring groups such as yourselves has agitated them, and the current happenings are an act of retaliation."
"I have an occasional contact in the necropolis who may have some information: a dark folk named Unwrapped Harmony. Her clan dwells in the old Asetti family villa. Also, I've never found any myself, but I know that the Veins district is riddled with smuggling tunnels. If you can find one, that might let you enter the necropolis without needing to deal with the undead hordes besieging the gates.
"When the necropolis was first walled off around 1,800 years ago, elegiac compasses were concealed inside. These devices can sense large sources of necromantic energy, so they've been useful over the centuries when Nakht and his inquisitors have needed to track and subdue fell influences. It's been around 30 years since we've last needed to use them, so I'm not sure if all of them are still functional, but I'll give you a map of their locations."
Listening carefully as the different folks explain the information they'd gathered, Tribim fiddles with the handles of his newly magicked blades, considering the facts. If the Lamias were the problem they would need to go speak with them. If they were going to go into the necropolis a secret passage would be nice, and a device that revels necrotic energy would be good to have.
Turning to the other 'Shadows' he asks, "Should we speak with the dark folk first, then find one of the compasses?"
As the discussion continues he considers if he'd ever stumbled on one of the smuggling tunnels in the Veins District.
The former Silver Chain base is located in the Veins district. While you didn't notice any smuggling tunnels while you were there, you also had more important things to focus on and were in a rush, so it's possible you missed something.
Mahmoud nods to Tribim. "That is a good plan. If we could find one of these smuggling tunnels, we would have a much easier time of it. Do you have any idea where one might be? I do not think I have ever come across any of them."
Shaking his head at Mahmoud's question, Tribim answers, "I don't have any knowledge about smuggling tunnels." He pauses for a moment remembering he'd reconnected with his old friend the half-elf named Black Kiss. Shrugging, "But I know an elf."
Gesturing towards Ptemenib, he continues, "The Silver Chains were clearly smuggling stuff out of the necropolis. Now that we've returned Ptemenib to the temple, lets return to our new hide out and see if we can find a tunnel or information about one."
”How exciting!” Aerith said. In this, she meant seeing actual smuggler tunnels and on meeting another elf.
Mahmoud eagerly follows Tribim through the swampy tunnel, and then tries to get his bearings when they emerge into the necropolis. "I think we are near one of these red Xs on the map Sebti gave us. Where the aleej-- aleegeea-- uh, where the magic compasses are."
A portion of the tunnels' stonework has collapsed here, exposing the winding crypts beneath to the harsh sky above. Shallow alcoves line each wall, stacked high with artfully arranged human bones and skulls. In the center of this subterranean chamber, a jumble of bronze springs and copper plates lies tangled in a pile of fallen stone. You also notice a large number of snakes basking in the sun. They look venomous.
Pleased they were able to find a tunnel, Tribim follows the swampy network until it leads into the dried-up canals of the necropolis. As they enter the 'exposed' subterranean chamber Tribim gestures towards the ceiling, "That may be our way out."
Returning his attention to the chamber itself he moves towards the jumble of bronze and copper bits hoping to identify them without disturbing the serpents.
Based on the description you were given by Sebti, you're pretty sure this is one of the elegiac compasses - or at least, it used to be before a roof collapsed on top of it.
Mahmoud catches Tribim's eye, and holds up his dagger. He motions toward the snakes with the dagger, indicating that he will throw it. Then he mimes a snake's head being sliced off, and frowns a question at Tribim as if to say "Okay?". He looks at Aerith to see if she is on board, too. Then he carefully moves to within 30' of the closest snake and attacks .
Aerith nodded. Deciding that this was as good a time as any to test out how different her magic worked when in another form, she transformed herself. With an effort of will she then sent her blade floating upward, ready to intercept any serpents that decided to attack instead of fleeing.
Nodding to Mahmoud tribim draws a chakram and throws it at the nearest snake.
The serpent nest surges to life as Mahmoud and Tribim attack.
The serpents swarm over all of you, biting madly.
Mahmoud steps sideways so that he is facing both swarms (and not facing Tribim or Aerith). He concentrates his martial knowledge and summons the ability to draw upon his dagger's magical energy and project it in front of him.
Her floating blade was useless against the swarm of serpents, and she assumed that her claws would likewise prove inadequate. Therefore, she took a step back, opened her maw and let loose a cone of acid spray at the swarming foes.
Realizing his fellow 'Shadows' were using magic beyond his ken, Tribim moves out of the swarm, hoping his friends can destroy them.
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Mahmoud and Aerith's powers dispatch most of the serpents, but enough remain to still be dangerous.
Mahmoud moves out of the swarm and stops about twenty feet from both Tribim and Aerith, hoping to make the snakes decide who they want to attack. He throws his dagger twice, trusting in its magic to injure at least some of the components of the wriggling mass.
Even in her Draconic form, the fangs of the snakes pierced her scales. Feeling ill, she attempted to slash at the offending reptiles with her claws. These were not done with any savagery or skill, but more to force them back. Any that could not move fast enough, though, would not live to regret the mistake.
Not feeling well, Tribim watches as his fellow 'Shadows' deal with the poisonous snakes.
Due to the nausea from the snakes, Aerith is unable to muster the strength to attack, but Mahmoud's dagger manages to inflict enough damage to disperse the swarm.
”That was unpleasant.” Aerith remarked, her voice far more serpentine than before. Sitting back on her hind legs she did her best to not wretch.
Dabbing up the blood from the several snake bits, Tribim nods, "Unpleasant indeed." Realizing the others probably feel as bad as he does, Tribim resists the urge to whine, and instead pulls out his Force Hook. Pointing it at the edge of the collapsed ceiling near the hole, he fires the grappling hook, then telling the others, "Once I'm up I'll drop the 'hook' back down so you can use it."
Depressing the button tribim shoots towards the ceiling and quickly climbs over the edge. Dropping the 'Hook' down so the others can use it, he quickly looks around.
Mahmoud waits with the others, resting for three minutes to catch his breath before they continue. "Snakes," he mutters, shaking his head.
After taking a few minutes to recover a bit, the three of you use Tribim's force hook to climb out of the subterranean chamber.
Once the Shadows have emerged and gotten their bearings, Mahmoud suggests: "Nakht said the source of this scourge is the lamias at the Cenotaph of the Cynic. We should reach that area if we proceed along the western wall of the Necropolis, where the undead activity may be lessened since there are no houses nearby."
Still weak, Tribim gets his bearings. Asking Mahmoud, "Did we still want to speak with the dark folk first, and continue looking for one of the compasses?"
Drawing his blades, Tribim looks towards their elf-dragon to see is she has any thoughts on how to proceed.
”The calignis?” The little dragon rumbled. ”Former humans, if I am not mistaken. Mainly drawn to the worship of dark deities to survive in the deeps. Contacting them might well prove dangerous.” She paused, deep in thought. Deciding that she would love to see one for herself, rather than just reading, she said ”But they might well have information we would need. And they will likely know we are in their territory anyways. If it were up to me I’d look for them, at least. See if this breed is diplomatic, rather than the slave trading variety.”
Mahmoud nods curtly and follows Tribim as he instead leads them through the center of the necropolis.
As you make your way toward the Asetiti Estate, you're ambushed by a group of chokers! Fortunately, they're easily fought off.
As you enter the villa's grounds, a trio of caligni approach and ask what you want in halting Common. It's obvious that your presence makes them nervous.
smiling his most disarming smile, Tribim responds to the dark folk, "We are attempting to stop the undead scourge, Ptemenib told us Unwrapped Harmony may be able to provide us with some information. Could we speak with her please?
Somewhat too loudly, the dragon said in sibilant voice ”Move, move, let me see. Heirs of the Azlanti! Oh how I hope we get to speak with them.” While arguably not very appropriate, this at least indicated less than hostile intent.
When you mention Ptemenib, the dark folk whisper in excitement. "Wait here." One of them scurries up to the manor house and goes inside while the other two remain outside with you.
The next half-hour proves rather awkward as the caligni attempt to make conversation. A few of the topics are "Does your inner darkness get absorbed by the ground when you die? What happens if a body isn't underground when it comes out? Or does the ceremony serve as a protective ward?" and "Can you help us settle a wager? We've noticed that humans sometimes wear dark glass over their eyes in the sun even though they can't see in the dark? I think it's part of a training regimen, but he says it's a religious ritual symbolizing blinding yourself to worldly distractions to better serve Serra Ray the Inferno Princess."
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Eventually, you're invited inside the manor house where you're met by the leader of this caligni tribe. As her handmaidens offer you food and drink , she introduces herself. "Greetings friends of Ptemenib. I am Unwrapped Harmony. What can I do for you?"
Chuckling at the dark folks questions, Tribim turns towards Mahmoud, smiling he chimes in, "Yes Mahmoud, why do humans do that?"
Taking a seat in the manor house Tribim helps himself to some of the charred rodent, answering the leader of the caligni tribe, "Greetings Unwrapped Harmony, I am Tribim and these are my fellow Shadows, Mahmoud and Aerith. We were sent to speak with the lamias at the Cenotaph of the Cynic about the undead scourge. Is there any information you can share with us about these events?"
Mahmoud frowns, but doesn’t seem able to make sense of anything the dark folk ask. He simply shrugs helplessly and shakes his head. "I worship Pharasma," he mutters, feeling this point is worth correcting.
"My clan sees and knows many things, and I'm willing to trade this information to you for a favor. My apprentice, Gaunt Cadaver, broke away from us recently and formed his own clan. He's fascinated with necromancy - particularly mummies - and I've heard reports that he's turning his followers into undead. This blasphemous experimentation must be stopped. Do this, and I'll share the necropolis's secrets with you."
Mahmoud glares at Unwrapped Harmony in shocked distaste. He scratches the side of his face with his dagger, and looks to Aerith for objections as he considers. "Yes, this must be stopped," he decides. "You may rely on us to deal with your former apprentice. Tell us where we can find him and his hateful minions."
"He and his followers have claimed an estate on the far side of Vizier's Hill."
”We have a target and a location.” Aerith said, happily. ”Please share any further information on their numbers and known defenses, and then we will be off to hold our end of the bargain.”
"Those are things I do not know."
”Then our impending victory will be all the more glorious! Or our defeat will be all the more excusable.” The little dragon hissed happily.
A desolate garden choked with thorny brambles surrounds this small noble estate. A large, run-down house rises above the overgrowth in the center of the estate, its few windows dark and forbidding.
Mahmoud leads the way to where he presumes the door to the estate is, moving slowly to check for hazards and traps. He tries to move quietly.
Your caution pays off, as you notice the earth moving toward you from the northeast and northwest. Ankhegs...