
Djehuti of El-Shelad |

I have read those and can confirm. I tend to rule such privileged knowledge as hearsay player characters might have come across in taverns or travels, treating them as rumors or conspiracies until proven one way or the other in the adventure's playthrough. The common folk would love to chatter about these kinds of things, especially in the world where the AOP is becoming synonymous with potentially anti-establishment mindsets.
Makes sense to me, I just wanted to make sure I am up to date on the lore. I can totally believe folks in Ustalav think elementals just hang out with farmers in Osirion.
Y'all ready to move on?
Yep, let's see if we can't get Senemheb dropped twice in one dungeon. ;)
Djedefre keeps close to Luke in case the intrepid Taldan requires more healing.
"I wouldn't want to find another one."
The elf nods. "Agreed. Nor more giant spiders. I... do not care for spiders."

Dame Jolánka Graydon |

Makes sense to me, I just wanted to make sure I am up to date on the lore. I can totally believe folks in Ustalav think elementals just hang out with farmers in Osirion.
Especially if those folks are from an organization that's basically the Osiriani equivalent of a weeaboo anime club! :P
Djehuti raises their head from their notebook to look back at Jolánka. "Interesting. There are wild elementals in the most remote parts of Osirion- the deep desert, the Footprints of Rovagug, the underdunes- but those are also places humans find difficult to live. The elemental clans around Tumen are fascinating but I know little about them other than they are dangerous to mortals. To be frank, the accounts you mentioned sound more like the Impossible Kingdoms of Vudra than Osirion. Perhaps whoever told you these tales conflated the two?"
Jolánka's countenance falls a bit.
"Perhaps..." she says. She clutches her tome a bit closer to her and writes some more notes, along with what appear to be some vigorous crossing-out of older ones.
"Let us move on."

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"The Pharaoh is notoriously interested in outsiders," Amal says to Jolànka - more to comfort her than anything else. "But they are not exactly roaming the kingdom in large groups."
"Small snakes such as these are not that important a threat."

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"Small snakes? It's bite was more than big enough."
@GM: Usual Perception deal with 10 or roll as the situation calls for it:
Perception: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (3) + 12 = 15

Senemheb |

”Indeed, never have my bones been so crushed from a bite of a ‘small snake’ “ Senemheb smiles drily. ”But at least it wasn’t poisonous.“
Good to move on

GM Nightmare Knight |

A tapestry hangs from a frame against the south wall of this large chamber; it depicts an otherworldly vista where the souls of the dead, shepherded by strange beings, enter an ethereal river ambling through space toward a landscape dominated by an impossibly tall spire. Columns sculpted in the shape of Osirian warriors wielding khopeshes stand in all four corners of the room. The floor is tiled in a white spiral pattern on a black background, and this spiral pattern is repeated on the stone double doors to the north, east, and west.
The tapestry is not in the style of Ancient Osirion. It feels more akin to something from a church north of the Inner Sea. Despite the years, this one is in far better condition than the previous tapestry, only slightly worn at its edges. Around the walls, however, similar art - either faded and chipped paint or bas relief - are similar vistas in contemporary styles. One is left to theorize how and why a non-local piece of art found its way into this tomb.
Taking his time taking 10 for 22? Djedefre finds no traps on the way into this chamber or anywhere within. The doors to the north and west are closed, and during his investigations the cleric to Ra finds these doors are locked.

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@GM: Djedefre doesn't have the skill but would a Knowledge (Religion) reveal the nature of the spirals and the spire? The player and the PC have a guess.
"No traps but the doors are locked. And the discrepancies between the artwork...odd."

Djehuti of El-Shelad |

I'm going to hope 'anywhere within' includes the doors.
DJehuti nods at Djedefre. "Very odd. Why would he have wanted northern artwork around him in the afterlife?" The elf shakes their head and kneels to unlock the doors once the aasimar pronounces them free of traps.
Disable Device: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (16) + 7 = 23

Dame Jolánka Graydon |

"Spoils of war, maybe? Or a gift from a foreign dignitary?" Jolánka wonders aloud. She leaves her other thoughts unspoken...that it may be a sign of communication between Osirion and greater Avistan...and a connection to her Order. She takes a closer look at the tapestry, looking to see if there are any scarabs depicted in it.
I don't expect there to be, to be clear, I know anything relating to the EOotPE is beyond the scope of the AP, but Jolánka, trapped in the narrative as she is, doesn't know that! :P

Lucilianus "Luke" Caradoc |

"Who knows?" Luke chimed, holding his torch high to take in the entirety of the tapestry. "Maybe he got tired of seeing nothing but side profiles. You know, that being all your people draw. Must have blown his simple mind to see art where people are depicted with an entire pair o' eyes, whoo."
On the topic of eyes, once Djehuti set to work on the locked doors, the Taldan stepped up to help him better see in the dark. That was until he remembered that the elf's milky orbs had no need of his torch. He therefore took a leisurely perimeter walk about the room, seeing if there was anything to see while Djehuti worked.
Perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (16) + 5 = 21
EDIT: Hm. With the tapestry so well preserved, he wondered at arriving back at the thing with his walkabout complete, it might be worth something to the right buyer. While no doubt heavy, the hanging was by no means impossible to haul out of here.
Appraise: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (20) + 5 = 25

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"I'd be glad to compare them with Taldane paintings that have survived millennias," Amal replies, not-so-innocently.
They pause, looking perplex, in front of the tapestry. "This doesn't look as old as the rest."
Perception: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10

GM Nightmare Knight |

@Djedefre, yes but seeing as you've already ID'ed some of her symbology and icons before, you know the spiral is Pharasma's holy symbol and the tapestry is depicting a common vision of the River of Souls to the Boneyard. @Jolánka, you would know that the Plague of Madness predates the EOotPE by almost 1500 years, so no telltale scarabs you'd recognize are seen in the weave. @Luke, there is some minor magic woven into the tapestry and the style is Taldan, you've seen dozens like it in the estates of your family's peers. To a historian or non-Osirian Pharasmin it might be worth 250 gp. @Amal and Luke, there seems to be nothing else of note in this chamber, save the general ambience of preserved stillness. @Djehuti, the locks are ancient and simple enough to undo.
Which doors does the party open? West or north?

Lucilianus "Luke" Caradoc |

"I'd be glad to compare them with Taldane paintings that have survived millennias," Amal replies, not-so-innocently.
Standing next to him, Luke took another speculative look at the tapestry, brow furrowed and eyes squinting like he was ruminating his childhood arithmetic. "Funny you should say that," he drawled slowly, words still catching up to a cautious conclusion growing ever more certain. "Compare away, kid. I think the damn thing is Taldan."
He wasn't entirely sure, of course. Art history wasn't exactly the young man's specialty. No, he knew art as predators knew prey: for their worth in meat and marrow. Even so, the intricate detail of the image, every thread competing for your attention; the maker not content with anything but decadent silver strands in weaving that ethereal river; the strict adherence to supposed Azlanti classicism, tradition for tradition's sake. Where but jolly old Taldor? Taldor whose aristocracy had turned decadence from vice into virtue. Taldor whose rich & mighty were so happy to rest on their laurels, its art scene hadn't changed in a thousand years.
Just about literally so, Luke realized. It was why this wall hanging, sitting in a dusty tomb on an entirely different continent for however many centuries, appeared so similar to those he himself had seen in mansions about the nation's capital. "... How in every hell did this Osiriani general come across a Taldan tapestry?"
War plunder? No, surely not. The foreigner's knowledge of history was sparse, but surely he would know if these two countries had ever been at war, no matter how long ago. A simple trade acquisition?
The queries buzzing about his head like so many flies dropped dead as Luke realized he really didn't care. All that mattered was the thing's price in gold. And while he'd never been particularly good at that aforementioned childhood arithmetic, the Caradoc heir was perhaps ironically quite good at gauging antiques' worth. Practicality over theory, that was how he operated best. And this tapestry could sell for a pretty penny.
Thusly pleased, he followed the others through the western door, torchlight bobbing with his brisk steps.
Added to the loot table.

Djehuti of El-Shelad |

Djehuti nodded at Luke's rhetorical question. "Maybe there will be another mural in one of these rooms that explains." Once the locks are open, the elf stands aside to let the more martial- and more perceptive- party members enter the room first.

GM Nightmare Knight |

Opening the western doors, the party comes upon what can only be described as an unfinished section of the tomb. This short hallway narrows sharply to the west, descending to set of stairs that abruptly ends at a rough rock wall. No bas reliefs or paintings or anything else resides in this rough draft of a chamber. Even the walls and sloping stairs are in need of sanding and finishing.
There seem to be more tunnels burrowed into the unfinished wall at the base of the stairs.

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Djedefre would hit both taking 10 so I'm guessing it's time for rolls!
Perception Sight: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (14) + 12 = 26
Perception Sound: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (3) + 12 = 15
Pointing to the northern wall Djedefre says, "There's the faintest outline of a door but I cannot see a way of opening it without applying brute force."

Senemheb |

"... How in every hell did this Osiriani general come across a Taldan tapestry?"
"Trade or a gift, perhaps. There must have been art merchants back in the General days." Senemheb shrugs. "Spoils of war would be more of a general's style, but I can't think of any conflicts with Taldans."
Perception Sight: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (9) + 5 = 14
Perception Sound: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 5 = 7
He then takes a look at the northern wall Djedefre is pointing, but cannot really see any traces of a doorway.

Dame Jolánka Graydon |

Opening the western doors, the party comes upon what can only be described as an unfinished section of the tomb. This short hallway narrows sharply to the west, descending to set of stairs that abruptly ends at a rough rock wall. No bas reliefs or paintings or anything else resides in this rough draft of a chamber. Even the walls and sloping stairs are in need of sanding and finishing.
There seem to be more tunnels burrowed into the unfinished wall at the base of the stairs.
Jolánka frowns a bit as it dawns on her that a tapestry that old would predate the Esoteric Order's founding by hundreds of years at the most conservative estimate. Her quest would have to continue elsewhere.
She joins the boys as they investigate the chamber beyond...an apparent dead-end.
Perception (Sight): 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 8
Perception (Sound): 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (7) + 5 = 12

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"We have brute force," Amal answers Djedefre, before freezing dead in his tracks. He shushes the party, and appears to be listening intently to something.
"There's something coming from the stairway. Chittering. Insects." His grip tightens on the handle of his scimitar. "Draw your weapons."
Perception (Sight): 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7
Perception (Sound): 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (17) + 4 = 21

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Djedefre's eyes get wide and follows Amal's lead and draws his longspear.
Or Djedefre will go with his morningstar if Luke wants to take a step back this encounter since he's still down 3 HP.

GM Nightmare Knight |

As Amal and Djedefre advance towards the stairs, two obsidian-shelled beetles the size of dogs skitter up, two short appendages on their heads emitting pale green light. One remains on the ground, while the other takes to the air with a harsh hiss.
Amal: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5
Djedefre: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 1 = 9
Djehuti: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 2 = 18
Jolánka: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4
Luke: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (12) + 5 = 17
Senemheb: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (8) + 3 = 11
Fire Beetles: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5
Block 1 is Djehuti, Luke, Senemheb, Djedefre, Amal, Block 2 is the two beetles, Block 3 is Jolánka then back around
Blue is grounded, Red is in the air.

Senemheb |

Cannot fit the front row, so delay
"Beauty must be in the eye of beholder. I cannot say I care much for such critters."

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"Pretty or not, we can't let them kill us!" Amal slashes at the red bettle.
Attack: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (16) + 5 = 21
Damage: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6

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Djedefre stabs at the beetle with his trusty longspear:
Longspear vs. Blue: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 71d8 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5
Thank Ra I didn't make Djedefre a frontliner - these combat rolls have been awful!

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Red is slain, carapace and ichor falling across the party but Blue dodged the spear.
What?!?!? A 7 didn't hit it???? I'm shocked I tell ya I'm shocked! ;)

Lucilianus "Luke" Caradoc |

"Beauty must be in the eye of beholder. I cannot say I care much for such critters."
"Especially when said beauties wanna sink their mandibles in your eye," a none too pleased Luke added. More giant insects? Like Senemheb, he had no liking for anything that skittered. Creation had gone entirely awry as soon as it passed four legs. Nothing but creepy-crawlies and monstrosities past that mark. These particular bugs being the size of well fed dogs did not help. Erk, those twitching feelers... The Taldan had never understood those moneyed eggheads who whiled away their abundant free time staring at insects under a magnifying glass. The group was treated to a magnified view of such vermin right now and it was a horror show!
One of aforementioned horrors was quickly laid low, however, Amal skewering it with his sword much like an entomologist with their pin. "Good one, kid!" the foreigner cried, and not unduly: in the tight quarters, disposing of this one beetle allowed himself to rush in for the other. Quick steps stamped forward, passing the young compatriot as Luke swung his sword, speed adding to its momentum.
It was in the brief moment before impact that he noticed the iridescent sheen of the carapace, a kaleidoscopic mesh of greens, blues and purples. There was, admittedly, a certain beauty to it. Right until the moment was sheared asunder as surely as the shell.
Attack (longsword): 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (19) + 4 = 23
Crit confirm?: 1d20 ⇒ 1 Hah, no.
Damage: 1d8 + 9 ⇒ (6) + 9 = 15
Haven't moved on the map, but with Amal killing Red, I think Luke can move forward over it to attack Blue.

GM Nightmare Knight |

Luke can, and with that combat is over.
Amal and Luke handily slay the territorial beetles, the shimmering shells catching the torchlight and their own glowing appendages' phosphorescence. The glowing organs of the beetles will glow for some time before finally fading away postmortem. The party is free to either attempt to break down the secret door or return to the spiral room and try the northern door.

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Djedefre hurls curses at his longspear opting to blame it for his lack of success in combat. Easier than blaming himself...
"Does anyone know how long the organs will glow? Long enough to harvest and sell them?"

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"No idea." Amal switches from his scimitar to his mace. "Someone point me to that secret door; I'll bring it down."
Not sure if I have to roll anything; I'm sure that by taking 20 it will break eventually

Lucilianus "Luke" Caradoc |
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The +2 to breaking stuff that apparently comes with crowbars might help.
"Kid, you don't look old enough to bring down a mug of ale. But you got grit, so I'll let you help me crack it open, yeah?"
Kids, always out to prove themselves. Luke shook his head. Well, nothing wrong with wanting recognition, he mused. Heck, it wasn't that long ago he'd been that kid himself. Problem was that going first carried the risk of death in vaults like these.
And there was no way informing the crying parents of their dear boy's demise was falling to him! Not happening. Luke couldn't stand weepy mothers. And so he jabbed his crowbar into the hair-fine line Djedefre informed him was the secret door's jamb.
Str to break: 1d20 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 4 + 2 = 25

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Amal looks suspiciously at Luke, whose own brow doesn't bear the slightest sign of a premature wrinkle. Still, he lets him go fist.

Djehuti of El-Shelad |

Djehuti raises a hand. ”Before we break anything, perhaps we could continue exploring and see if we can come across the other side of the door? We can always come back if we don’t find a way around.”
Sorry, can’t open the map at the moment but unless it’s obvious there’s no other way to come at this door DJ would suggest patience before we break stuff.

GM Nightmare Knight |

I don't suppose anyone has knock prepared today? There is something to roll, Amal. See da ruling for that.
Also, if the door wasn't meant to be opened on this side, it might just be accessible from another part of the tomb, as Djehuti is suggesting. Perhaps taking some time and reading those documents you found earlier might lend some answers?
Luke gives it his best, using the crowbar to try and crack open the door after Djedefre points it out to the others. However, the Taldan is unable to get it open on his own. It's a pretty hardy DC, Luke got close though.

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Djehuti raises a hand. ”Before we break anything, perhaps we could continue exploring and see if we can come across the other side of the door? We can always come back if we don’t find a way around.”
Sorry, can’t open the map at the moment but unless it’s obvious there’s no other way to come at this door DJ would suggest patience before we break stuff.
"Luke gave the door a might effort but it did not yield. I agree with Djehuti; let's look around and see if we can find the other side of the door."
Someone who can actually read the scrolls will have to do it since Djedefre doesn't read either Osirian or Ancient Osirian - YET. ;)

Dame Jolánka Graydon |

Jolánka crouches down by the beetles and looks them over, before opening her pack and retrieving a pair of forceps and a scalpel.
"I've never done an autopsy on an arthropod before, but I think I've seen enough pinned specimens at the museum that I can reasonably make an informed attempt."
She begins to cut between the plates of the beetles' exoskeletons to try and remove the glowing organs.
Heal: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (17) + 8 = 25

Lucilianus "Luke" Caradoc |

Well, that was embarrassing.
"What?" he huffed at the vaguely disappointed look on Amal, still catching his breath after heaving on the crowbar for a solid minute. "What are you looking at? Doorway's reinforced or somethin'. Wouldn't open for a team of elephants. Probably just a moldy linen closet on the other side, anyway. Yeah."
The youngest Caradoc had been too boisterous a boy for even fables to hold his attention, and as such he wasn't familiar with 'The Fox and the Grapes'. Nevertheless, these were some mighty sour grapes to swallow. Acknowledging defeat before the secret exit - that he never really cared to open, actually! - Luke slung the tool back into its backpack loop.
"Suppose there's a perfectly fine door we haven't tried back at the tapestry..."

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"Indeed Luke there was another door which we will check on next. Your was an effort worthy of a drink; it's just the great engineering and architecture of the ancient Osirians that protect the tombs that thwarted you. You'll get the better of it next time I'm sure!"
Djedefre claps Luke on the back and switches his weapon to his morningstar so he can take Luke's place at the front while Luke is still wounded.

GM Nightmare Knight |

Returning to the spiral chamber, the party goes north. Through the first doors are another set of plain doors ten feet down a flight of stairs. Through these are a set of ornate doors, featuring an ankh surrounded by a Pharasmin spiral. In the center of this room is a raised square platform a few inches above the floor, with a stone pillar at each corner. A gold-trimmed sarcophagus sits in the center of the platform, flanked by two statues of humanoid beings with canine heads, each of which holds an ankh in one of its crossed arms. Stone double doors exit the room to the north
and south.

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22 if he can take 10. I haven't looked at the spoiler in case a roll is needed:
Perception: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (10) + 12 = 22
Djedefre motions for the group to stop and says, "Two more sets of secret double doors in this chamber - to the east and the west."
Would it be another Perception check to see if there are any traps? The usual take 10 for a 22 if he can or I'll roll just in case he can't:
Perception for traps?: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (7) + 12 = 19