A dragon. A true one. Not an elf with a draconic identity crisis (or vice versa). But a true, larger than life dragon. She took a deep breath as she followed Mahmoud down into the darkness.
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At the bottom of the cavern, you find a small pile of glittering treasures, weapons, armor ... and the copper-wrapped quartz core of the elegiac compass. Before you can move more than a step toward it, a crystalline dragon bursts forth from the ground and roars. "Who dares sully my home with your-" She pauses abruptly as she notices Aerith.
"I wasn't aware another dragon resided in the city. Or are you a newcomer?"
You recognize this as a juvenile crystal dragon. Although incredibly vain and short-tempered, they're not Evil and enjoy trading in gems and precious minerals. In combat, magical rays reflect off of their scales, and they can emit a piercing scream that shatters objects .
Aerith walked forward, giving the equivalent of a bow. She furled her wings to her side, reducing a silhouette as a single of non-aggression, and gave a bow of her head, lowering her horns.
”A relative newcomer.” She answered, raising her head to look at the dragon. In her family, at least, it was a way of acknowledging an elder sibling or relative whose status was respected, but who did not have any authority over you. It was in every way polite without being servile.
”And likewise, I was not aware of any of my esteemed kin being present. Have you also come in search of treasure to add to your hoard? And would you perhaps to be open to trade, in mutual benefit of us both?”
Mahmoud quickly takes a good look at the creature's hoard, appearance, and surroundings, trying to get a sense of what kind of things it likes.
Unfortunately, he is distracted somewhat by the dazzling colors reflected off of the dragon's multicolored hide.
The dragon grins as she accepts and returns your gaze. "Shardizhad is always open to trade. I'm especially partial to gemstones and jewelry, if you have any."
In addition to the elegiac compass core, you notice a few statuettes, glassware and jewelry, a great many coins (all immaculately polished), a suit of half-plate, and a halberd. There are likely more items in the dragon's hoard, but the multitudinous light refractions make it difficult to focus.
Aerith looked over the hoard, nodding approvingly. She motioned with a claw at the elegiac compass. Speaking draconic like it was their native tongue, she said ”That would make a fine addition to my hoard. Perhaps…this would suffice?” Her claw disappeared into her extra-dimensional storage space. She carefully began withdrawing a number of treasures. Before long, there was a bed of a thousand gold coins, upon which were a lapis luzuli bracelet, with gold and onyx earrings, and a golden funerary cone. These treasures were accentuated by the colorful and sparkling marbles and rocks that they had come across.
”An initial trade, perhaps? Treasures from my hoard for a treasure from yours. And for so long as we remain in this area, we might come to each other when there is mutual benefit?”
Mahmoud goggles at the treasures that Aerith offers, and though he doesn't understand what she's saying, he gets the gist. He shakes his head in wonder, but thinks If not fighting is that important to her, I will stay my knife.
The dragon gestures dismissively at the elegiac compass core. "This old thing? It's certainly an interesting bit of art, but the aesthetic doesn't go with the rest of my treasures. I'm sure you've noticed the golden theme I have going on. Your trade is acceptable, and since you're new to the area, I'll throw in a helpful bauble for your minion. Humans are so terribly fragile, after all."
Loot
elegiac compass core
Vial of soul stimulant
”How magnanimous.” Aerith happily hissed in draconic. ”Your generosity does credit to you and to the stability of your hoard. And it is most welcome. There were once four other soft-skins who were part of this group, this will be most useful in keeping this one whole and hearty. It was a pleasure dealing honorably with you. May this be but our first cooperation.” She telekinetically floated the vial over to Mahmoud. In common, she said to him. ”A gift from lady Shardizhad to you. An elixir that protects against the worst abilities of the walking dead, such as wights, vampires and the like.”
Mahmoud blinks in surprise. He accepts the soul stimulant after giving it a suspicious sniff, and turns to bow formally in thanks to the crystalline dragon.
With the core in hand, you return to the elegiac compass. You quickly realize that repairing the device will take a fair bit of work, as it's quite delicate and complex.
Two hours later, you believe it's at a state where you can test it without risking further damage. It's a success! The compass needle points unwaveringly roughly toward the east. It's not enough to triangulate the source of the necromantic energy , but it's a good starting point.
”A good place to start.” Aerith said happily. ”While it is impossible to know exactly where our quarry is, all we have to do is go east and search each place of interest we come across. Simple enough.”
According to your map, there's another compass located inside the tomb of Menket Maatya - an ancient astronomer and wizard. Unfortunately, when you arrive, it quickly becomes clear that the sepulcher has been looted. All that's left of the elegiac compass is its bronze and stone frame. The only item is a simple wooden sarcophagus, but you notice that the walls of the tomb are painted with detailed starscapes.
Mahmoud sighs as they discover another dead end. He shrugs, and points east again . "Shall we, then?" he grunts. No time like the present.
”Lets go.” She replied, feeling disappointed. The area had sounded so promising! She just hoped that whomever looted the place a least had the education needed to appreciate what they had stolen.
You make your way to the Pyramid of Arithmetic Bliss - a structure that is very poorly-named, it turns out, as the building's roof is actually shaped roughly like a trapezoid. A long-neglected garden and thirty-foot-tall obelisks decorate the broad, walled-in courtyard. Several squat outbuildings stand near the western wall, but a sprawling sandstone building with a steeply pitched roof and elaborate reliefs dominates the property.
The walls of this building are inscribed with ancient hieroglyphs that (thanks to Aerith's translation skills) detail the numerous great works and techniques of the stonemason's guild that used to be headquartered here.
Aerith boldly approached the front door, her blade lazily floating around her. ”Promising! This guildhall does not appear to be looted, and I very much doubt that there will be any more dragons present. Let’s enter before this changes.”
Deep niches line the walls to either side of this wide passage, dividing blocks of detailed hieroglyphs. Scrolls and loose bits of parchment lie scattered across the floor. Further inside, tools and notes have been placed upon this chamber's broad stone worktables with apparent significance and precision. Several sarcophagi lie along the walls, surrounded by dusty models, urns, and statues. In the northeast corner, a disorderly campsite mars the mathematical order of the room's design.
Unfortunately, you won't be able to explore until the undead residing inside are dealt with. You see a pair of mummies in addition to two incorporeal spirits known as allips. The latter creatures are particularly dangerous, as their mere presence can drive people to madness.
Mahmoud involuntarily looks up when Aerith mentions more dragons potentially arriving, and then leaps forward to follow her inside.
When he sees their foes, he murmurs a short prayer to Pharasma and tosses his enchanted dagger at the closest allip.
Whenever an enemy enters the threatened area of a dancer, the dancer may spend an attack of opportunity to force the enemy to succeed at a Reflex save (DC 15) or become entangled until they leave all the dancers’ threatened areas (or until the dance ends).
1 point, free action: move 5' (provokes, 20' max per round)
1 point, no action: when an enemy's attack hits, reduce the damage by 3
2 points, no action: when an ally's attack hits, add 3 damage (once per attack)
2 points, move action: regain martial focus
3 points, swift action: regain martial focus
3 points, swift action: bonus attack at highest BAB (does not stack with haste effects)
Seeing the reason why the guild hall wasn’t looted, Aerith sent her blade flying out to remove the impediments to their search.
Working together, you destroy one of the allips. As the other flies toward you, Aerith's blade strikes it, but then a cacophony of insane babbling surrounds you. Meanwhile, the mummies charge ... but get tripped up by your synchronized movements.
As much as Aerith wanted to recall her blade, she couldn’t spare the mental energy to make it return to her side. A wall of undeath stood between her and the protection it might have offered. Ducking beneath a heavy handed blow from the mummy, Aerith tore into it. Having just avoided its attack, she brought her head up and forced her horns into its stomach. Given that her horns, claws and fangs were all surrounded by a subtle field of aether, it was easy enough to rip them free, sending desiccated flesh and ancient parchment floating free, she follow up by grabbing hold of it with her claws. Pinning its arms down, she reared up on her hind legs, her maw opening to show her waiting fangs. Fangs which closed onto the mummy’s face…
Mahmoud gasps with determination as he feels the mummies approach, and he ducks and weaves past the closest to keep them off-balance as he throws his dagger. "Take this, you bandaged freaks!" he mutters hatefully.
Whenever an enemy enters the threatened area of a dancer, the dancer may spend an attack of opportunity to force the enemy to succeed at a Reflex save (DC 15) or become entangled until they leave all the dancers’ threatened areas (or until the dance ends).
1 point, free action: move 5' (provokes, 20' max per round)
1 point, no action: when an enemy's attack hits, reduce the damage by 3
2 points, no action: when an ally's attack hits, add 3 damage (once per attack)
2 points, move action: regain martial focus
3 points, swift action: regain martial focus
3 points, swift action: bonus attack at highest BAB (does not stack with haste effects)
Aerith rips a mummy to shreds as Mahmoud dances further into the building and flanks the allip before stabbing the other mummy. Suddenly, the realization that these undead are a serious threat fills your minds, threatening to drive you into the depths of despair!
Mahmoud steps back and to his right, and his momentum carries him further. He throws his dagger at the mummy again.
Whenever an enemy enters the threatened area of a dancer, the dancer may spend an attack of opportunity to force the enemy to succeed at a Reflex save (DC 15) or become entangled until they leave all the dancers’ threatened areas (or until the dance ends).
1 point, free action: move 5' (provokes, 20' max per round)
1 point, no action: when an enemy's attack hits, reduce the damage by 3
2 points, no action: when an ally's attack hits, add 3 damage (once per attack)
2 points, move action: regain martial focus
3 points, swift action: regain martial focus
3 points, swift action: bonus attack at highest BAB (does not stack with haste effects)
Flush with victory, Aerith was ready to move in for the kill when her body suddenly froze. The supernatural effect of the dread which came with being in the presence of a mummy filled her. This, combined with her encyclopedic knowledge of all of the horrible types of fates that could await her, overwhelmed her mental defenses…
Fortunately for Aerith, Mahmoud's dagger brings down the other mummy before it can curse her. Unfortunately, the paralysis makes her an easy target for the allip....
Paralyzed by the aura of the mummy, Aerith was easy prey for the allip. While her body was frozen, her mind was not. As such, she knew exactly what was happening was it reached out and seized her, seeking to consume her mind and testing her sanity.
Mahmoud turns his attention back to the allip as the second mummy falls, moving closer again to maintain his dance. "Leave her be, you foul spirit," he growls. "I will end you." He briefly closes his eyes and calls upon his bond to Pharasma. Then he opens his eyes and spitefully throws his dagger.
Whenever an enemy enters the threatened area of a dancer, the dancer may spend an attack of opportunity to force the enemy to succeed at a Reflex save (DC 15) or become entangled until they leave all the dancers’ threatened areas (or until the dance ends).
1 point, free action: move 5' (provokes, 20' max per round)
1 point, no action: when an enemy's attack hits, reduce the damage by 3
2 points, no action: when an ally's attack hits, add 3 damage (once per attack)
2 points, move action: regain martial focus
3 points, swift action: regain martial focus
3 points, swift action: bonus attack at highest BAB (does not stack with haste effects)
Mahmoud swiftly dispatches the final undead, and a few seconds later, Aerith is able to shake herself free of the paralyzing despair.
After a thorough search of the building, you find a robed corpse wearing a metal funerary mask lying on the floor of one of the rooms. It appears very similar to the ones the Silver Chain was wearing.
Potential Loot
Oil of Taggit
Thieves' Tools
Brass Funerary Mask
There's also a notebook containing a list of locations.
Marid's Caress
Observatory of Truth and Wisdom
Pyramid of Arithmetic Bliss
Sanctum of the Erudite Eye
Shiny Bauble
Tomb of Menket Maatya
Mahmoud returns to Aerith's side and stands guard until she recovers, worrying that it could be some time. He says nothing, but his demeanor is that of a nervous man: fidgeting and looking all around as if wary for danger.
After Aerith shakes off the effect and they search the building, Mahmoud suggests that they take a brief rest while they look at the notebook. He raises his eyebrow to his friend, hoping she has insights into why such a find would be left here in a mummy's tomb.
With a startled cry Aerith moved once more. The air shimmered as she took the form of an elf once more. While it didn’t make logical sense to adopt a frailer form, what she truly wanted was to just sit down and hug her knees to her chest. She told herself that it was alright to take this time. Mahmoud was there and was watching for danger. That was enough. Only when she had caught her bearings did she take the notebook and carefully read over it, hoping to find insight as towards which site would be best to approach next….as she did do she thought to herself how much easier it was to read with actual fingers, instead of claws.
As you ponder the notebook, you realize that Marid's Caress is where the caligni claimed to have seen the 'masked figure' who dropped the star chart fragment. You also recall that the Sanctum of the Erudite Eye was where you first learned about the mysterious 'forgotten pharaoh'. Mahmoud had also noticed that something appeared to have been taken from the sanctum before you arrived.
Mahmoud looks over the brass funerary mask, but he doesn't think it seems particularly valuable. He frowns deeply as they discuss the list. "Is the Pyramid that building where we fought the rogue caligni? Maybe this Observatory is the only one on the list we haven't visited. Could this masked man have been destroying the compasses?" He shrugs. "Guess we should return along the path and see what else we can find."
”Very astute.” Aerith said, closing the book. She took a deep breath, closed her eyes, and once again assumed her form as a dragon. In an altogether more sibilant voice she said ”Then let us visit the next locale. We might well have an opportunity to test for your theory.”
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The Observatory of Truth and Wisdom is a simple affair, consisting of a single floor with a three-story tower in the center. The tower's top level is exposed to the skies above, with various markings on the walls to indicate the position of the sun and stars on important dates. The interior of the observatory's main floor is decorated in blue tiles and murals of major constellations and celestial events.
The observatory is empty, but as you search the premises, you find several star charts. Although none of them match the scrap you were given by the caligni, they're of the same type and format.
In addition, careful examination of the enormous spiral mosaic built into the tower's floor reveals a cleverly-concealed door leading below the ground. There's no keyhole or discernible mechanism, so you're pretty sure that opening it requires either some sort of magic or a spoken passphrase.
Frustrated that they can't simply break in, Mahmoud looks around for any kind of writing that might suggest the passphrase. He admires the spiral while he waits for Aerith to have a brilliant idea. He smiles shortly to himself as the mosaic makes him think of Pharasma, and he slowly traces the shape on the ground with a pensive dance like he does every evening for his regular obedience.
”Look at this! It is clearly unopened, which means one can but wonder what we will find inside. The only question is how. Perhaps…” She trailed off, eyes narrowing thoughtfully as she circled the mosaic, tail flicking. It was clear that she was enjoying the experience. Seeing Mahmoud tracing the spiral with his ritual dance reminded her of Pharasma’s spiral, the symbol of the goddess. While she was no expert on how a deity would think, she had to assume that any goddess would look on approvingly.
Who is this dedicated to, if any? Nethys? Thoth? Any prayers or invocations of either deity?
What does she know of how the magic of the door works? Can she tell if it is magic? Constant detect magic for this.
Reading over the Caligni script for any clues. Perhaps words or phrases that match here? Anything matching stars, heavens, etc
Is this a mechanical puzzle where mosaics can move? Or pressure plates?
Opening the door is a simple matter if one possesses basic opening magic . Of course, not all individuals are capable of such things, so there must be another manner of entry. A look around the chamber's walls reveals they're covered in prayers to Pharasma. These are all common affirmations to the Lady of Graves ... except one phrase: "All who live must pass through the doorway of death to face her judgement."
Speaking this phrase does nothing, but then Aerith tries again - in Ancient Osiriani. With a low rumble, the spiral rotates into the ground, creating a stone staircase that leads down into the depths....
As the passage opened, Aerith’s tail happily swished back and forth. She stepped to the side so as to allow Mahmoud to go first. Both because she trusted his keen eyes, and because this was holy ground to his faith. It was thus only appropriate for him to take point.
The spiraling stairway from above terminates in this vaulted chamber. Looming jackal-headed statuary, oversized pillars, and a long reflecting pool lend a grandiose scale to the room.
Mahmoud pauses briefly to intone a quiet prayer to Pharasma for guiding them, and then stands and leads the way carefully ahead. Figuring that they are in no hurry, he scans the area ahead of them for hazards. He holds his trusty dagger in his hand, and he calls upon his goddess's protection, conjuring a ghostly femur to appear and slowly circle his body. He approaches the pool on the west side, studying the four doors ahead as he tries to decide which they should approach.
You notice the glint of silver under the sand at the bottom of the reflecting pool. This makes sense, as that used to be a common method of sanctifying an area.
Mahmoud briefly considers leaving the pool alone, but then he reasons that he is sanctified himself, and that whatever this temple is, it is long forgotten. He mutters to Aerith, "There is something silver at the bottom of this pool. I will see if I can dig it up if you will cover me."
Aerith nodded. She turned, watching their back for any dangers while he dealt with the pool.