Omari Chumazuka's page

(Extracts from the journal Omari Chumazuka)

**9 Desnus 4710**

Dante has not reappeared and Jahi is gone again.

With the new information, we took our spoils and made a final trip to Absalom to prepare as well as we are able. We sold many of the items we have found, barring the fire-resistant, collapsible boat This seems like too unique of a creation to simply barter away. I have bought the scrolls to permanently give myself the ability to see magical auras and things hidden via invisibility.

Having seen how some of us had spent our wishes with Nefeshti, Mert had a flash of inspiration (it had to happen eventually) - She decided to spend her first asking for guidance regarding her further wishes. She realised that although Nefeshti was not skilled enough in wishcraft to remove the Chumazuka curse, we could wish for her to be able to add to it. As we will be facing a number of fire-using or -based creatures, Mert chose to have Nefeshti curse us with increased vulnerability to cold, by giving us a flame based nature [*the fire subtype*]. This should make us resistant to a number of their attacks. Even so, the numbers we will be facing are formidable.

Hopefully, our idea to use the clerical ability to find the shortest path to a locale will allow us to find Jhavul before we are overwhelmed. Of course, it may lead us straight to his strongest allies. I must admit that a part of me wishes it to fail - it frustrates me that even on, what may be my last day before true death, I must rely on the powers granted by the gods.

**10 Desnus 4710**

Still no Jahi or Dante, but we cannot wait any longer.

We teleported directly to the throne room under the House of the Beast. There were a few guards but, in the dark, we were able to enter and seal the passage under the throne before they approached close enough to see us. In the passage, we cloaked ourselves in invisibility and headed downwards.

Moving quickly through the false treasure room we entered the garden. There were a group of gnolls that we could have easily overcome but, a terrible surprise (!), Kalbiel, Sakaya's 'puppy' stood with them. A Hound Archon, driven so insane by her tender care, that he spent centuries plotting his revenge, eventually choosing to become a lich mere days ago. The sight of him was enough to freeze us all where we stood.

Turning at our approach, it was obvious that he could see us, but instead of attacking, as he has in the past, he addressed us - more accurately, me.

He proposed that he would assist us against Jhavul in return for Sakaya's phylactery. Sakaya was willing, but I was paralyzed by indecision. Not only having him end his allegiance to Jhavul, but side with us, would be a massive boon - maybe enough to turn the tide. However, putting my cousin at the mercy of this crazed beast did not sit well with either my familial loyalty, nor my new-found conscience. Playing for time, I proposed an addition to the deal - that he not harm Sakaya in any way until after Jhavul was dealt with. He quickly agreed.

During our conversation, the gnolls looked on in confusion. Unable to see us or understand our conversation, coupled with Kalbiel's apparent
calmness, they did not know how to proceed.

Becoming mildly annoyed (I think) with my hesitation, Kalbiel decided to depart, leaving the deal on the table for when next we met. He became

invisible and silently approached the (apparently empty) room that we had investigated on our previous visit. The fool did not realise that I could still see him as he entered the portal that opened from that room.

Waiting a few moments, we quietly followed. Kalbiel had moved on.

We found ourselves much deeper underground. I can only imagine that the heat would have been a great burden if not for Mert's wish.

This seemed like the perfect time to have Sakaya Find the Path to Jhavul's inner sanctum. We were led through one of three paths to a lake of lava.

Setting invisibility on the folding boat, we dropped it into the lava, drawing the attention of the leader of some nearby salamander guards.
A 'Suggestion' that now would be an excellent time to take a break, somewhere else, sent them on their way, none the wiser.

Making our way along the 'path', as dictated by Sakaya, we saw a busy forge off to the side. The fire giants manning it were no immediate danger to us, so we passed by without disturbing them.

Nearing the end of the path, we saw the bones of an incredibly huge creature - the Firebleeder. On the outcropping on which it rested, we noticed two figures. Unfortunately one of them noticed us and pointed us out to the other. As I scrambled to get the four of us flying, the second began casting.

As the second finished his spell, the voice of my old master, Kemhotep, rang out, "Ah! These are the ones I was telling you about, Lord Jhavul. The Chumazukas."

Playing for time, I greeted them and finished the Fly spells.

Once we made it to the platform, Kemhotep completed his introductions, fully expecting that we were there to join Jhavul's cause. We did not disavow him of this assumption and squeezed every drop of information from them that we could. Our haste had not been in vain - Nefeshti's initial estimate had been far too generous with the time remaining - Jhavul confided that he was a mere two days from fully integrating the Firebleeder's power. He was already able to use it to perform powerful scrying effects by entering its skull. He claimed that he would immediately be leaving this plane, but whether he would be able to contain that much power and still remain sane is unknown. All this to impress a woman! Ridiculous!

During this time Zayafid (that annoying gnat) teleported to us and immediately began whining about how we could not be trusted and were great betrayers. Thankfully Kemhotep countered with assurances of our trustworthiness.

Seeing that this was an area that we would be able to teleport to, I attempted to arrange that we would leave and return closer to the time of the 'Ascension' - planning to prepare and return within minutes. Possibly thinking that my about-face was real, Sakaya had had enough and attacked.

The battle was vicious. Spells and mighty blows traded. Kemhotep called out that I should be spared, but Jhavul ignored him to the point of blasting him as well, killing my master's familiar. This made him turn on the Jhavul, weakening him - but Jhavul immediately dispatched him. I remember little after this point (the others have filled in the gaps). An icy rage washed over my mind.

Apparently, I continued to weaken the enemy, Zayafid was put down while the others furiously traded blows with Jhavul. Seeing that he was moments from death, Mert struck him with her wight attack, turning him into her minion. His guards approached, but the flying warriors and I made short work of them. They tell me that only Jhavul's promise, to return Kemhotep the next day, returned me to myself.

We rescued the prisoners, including Alma, who still expects the remaining three years of service from us. With Jhavul under Mert's control, our curse should be ended tomorrow morning.

I feel strangely drained. I think I may take a break from my journal for a while. The others are already making plans for the future. We shall see what comes of them.

PCs:

Sakaya (huecuva, undead 3/cleric of Gorum 9)(Ritual effect => Clr 12)
Mert (wight, undead 4/rogue 7/fighter 1)
Omari (lich, diviner 3/sorcerer 10)(Ritual effect => Sorc 13)
Tori (dread skeleton, undead 2/fighter 10)

(Further extracts from the journal Omari Chumazuka)

**11 Calistril 4710 (continued)**

We came across a maze covered in writings in an archaic dialect. I say ‘maze’, but it had a large thoroughfare through the centre of it. We spent approximately two hours studying these writings, learning about at least two supposed entrances to the Pit. However, there was also mention made of the need to keep the Pit secret and I am suspicious of the accuracy of this information.

While we deciphered dubious writings, Jahi reformed (Again I am vindicated in keeping the phylacteries outside of the Haversack – who knows how long it would have taken for us to notice otherwise).
Of course Mert fell into dust during this same time. This is maddening! I cannot determine the pattern of when one of us will crumble or reform. Curse this inadequate huecuva brain!

Jahi immediately wanted to eat something. What good is being undead if one must still consume food? (and it does seem that his hunger is genuine, not like Dante’s stubborn refusal to see the truth)
We sent him down the hall to feast on the fresh gnoll cleric corpses, but he could not keep the directions in his head and called back to us for clarification. He soon returned with a gnoll head on a stick. The rest had already begun walking through the corridor that fairly screamed, “huge traps here!” – this, despite my warnings. I can only assume that they must, long ago, have fallen into disrepair, as we did not spring a single one.

Opening the large doors at the end of the corridor, we were greeted by more gnolls and the Carrion King himself – ready for us, having heard Jahi’s earlier shouts. One disappeared almost instantly and we did not give those remaining much time to press their advantage.

I weakened the huge Carrion King and tripped up some more clerics with Grease. Seeing me as a threat, half the gnolls were sent to deal with me. I was easily able to avoid or absorb their hits.

Dante began by singing that song of his again. He must be improving though, because for the first time we all felt somewhat heartened by this music (it only took him 201 years). We worked together to dispatch those fools daring to strike at me. He still insists on (s)hamming injury when anyone strikes him with an edged weapon.

Jahi immediately began to wrestle with the King, trying to pin him so that he could feast on his brain. (I believe I need discuss, with him, discerning the proper time and place to be focusing on eating) He did manage to keep the King from crushing him, but did not succeed in getting a good enough purchase to crack the skull.

Tori and Sakaya laid to with wild abandon, taking much of the damage dealt be the clerics. These were smarter than the last – instead of trying to rebuke us, they dealt damage by channelling healing energies from wands.

Jahi eventually succumbed to extremely large amounts of damage, but had provided us with the time necessary to clear away the dross standing between us and the most physically dangerous. Before he died, the Carrion King called out to the gnoll who had disappeared. He did not return. Not until we had killed his former allies, that is.

Thinking we were the regular sort of simple minded adventurer (not too far off the mark in the case of the cousins) he tried to spin a yarn about dispatching us to fetch him some artefact. Knowing this was the false Rokova that the troglodyte priest had warned us about, I played along only long enough to get within striking distance. Unfortunately he was still too quick for me and disappeared again.

Searching the throne of the Carrion King (centered over a charnel pit), we found a lever, which revealed a stairway leading further down. Reasoning that this might be one of the Pit entrances mentioned in the maze writings we resolved to follow them the next day.
Pausing only to decapitate the King for Jahi, we went back up to the huge scorpion/spider corpse and rested beneath it.

**12 Calistril 4710**
Going about my morning routine, I was moving to affix Jahi’s phylactery to my belt, along with the others, when, piqued by some of his actions of the previous day I flung it at my feet and mutter his name. Almost immediately, he began to reform. Thinking I had finally struck upon a way to reconstitute us without relying on chance, I quickly tried the same with Ahmket and Mert. Nothing! This damnable curse would be the death of me, if that were not impossible. What is the pattern!

When Jahi was presented the head of the Carion King, he declared, “I’m so happy.” Would that it took so small a thing to lift my mood.

Venturing down, we saw that the bodies left in our wake from yesterday had been thrown down into the charnel pit (one assumes). Must be vigilant for ‘Rokova’. Descending the secret stairwell, we found ourselves in a not altogether unpleasant garden, light by unusual crystals.

Immediately investigating four large stone statues, I inadvertently triggered a summoning of four Rhasts. As their primary attacks are gazes and poisons (my vast knowledge begins to return) they were not much more than an annoyance to us. Even though I told him to run, Grorg seemed rooted to the spot for some time, before finally taking heed – worrying about the welfare of others is no easy task. It was determined that the trap was self renewing, so we decided to keep clear and investigate the rest of the area.
Jahi and Dante foolishly ate berries from the garden and were instantly harmed, but Grorg seemed to suffer no ill effects, actually seeming to enjoy them very much.

Moving on now.

(Extracts from the journal Omari Chumazuka)

**10 Calistril 4710**
After a day spent in the ridiculously small room with my cousins, I was having vivid memories of our incarceration in Onyx Hall. We listened to the gnolls guard, who had escaped us earlier, return with reinforcements. They believed we had fled back to the troglodyte encampment and set about building makeshift fortifications. At least the time allowed Mert and Tori to reform.

Once we had rested and the gnolls had dug in, focusing all their attention away from us, we launched our attack. Bursting from the door we took them by surprise. I weakened the leader, Tori and the Grord blocked the escape route and the rest of the cousins ploughed into the gnoll force. (Despite myself, I cannot help but be amused when Dante feigns injury after being hit with a bladed weapon. I am not completely sure that this is a trick and not another symptom of his belief that he is still alive)
Sakaya and Mert's whirling blades, combine with the Ghost Sound of a troglodyte force breaking through the fortified doors undermined the confidence of the gnolls and they quickly began to fall. Grorg, next to Tori, fell quickly, allowing a couple of the gnolls to escape downstairs. The rest were dispatched.

Turning our attention to the surrounds, we found a small hole that seemed to open into a room with at least one magic item inside. We cleared debris in an attempt to work our way to the room. Again I was forced into hours of manual labour instead of simply casting a spell to remove the obstacle. Curse this weak form!
We eventually made our way to the room and found a lab/study. All his notes are in Terran! Every time I remember a language, I encounter another that I have forgotten! The only thing I could read was a religious text. Useless!

In disgust I lead the charge to find something to smash. Heading to the 'Whispering-something-or-other', describe by the superstitious Grorg (healed with potions found on the gnolls), we noticed that the floor was moments from crumbling, so thought better of it. Deciding to go upstairs to face the Giant Scorpion described by Grorg, the cousins first decided they would distract it by chasing the still fearful hyenas up to it. It ate them.

We charged up and quickly dispatched the beast. As it seems the gnolls do not come up here often (if at all) he are resting here.

**11 Calistril 4710**
I started the day on a particularly proud note, with Sakaya casting a spell to allow here to read the notes (that I should have deciphered in seconds!) in the books we found. They mention the Pit of Screaming Ghosts, the resting place of a supposedly famous gnoll (!). It is said to contain the Scroll of Kakashon. The writer believes that the scroll hides the directions for reaching a storehouse of weapons and treasures related to Nex. He thinks the Pit is under this temple. I think that it is likely this Whispering pit may be related to the Screaming Ghosts Pit.

We then headed down, to the level that the gnolls had escaped to yesterday. It seems they had again assumed that we had fled the temple, as we found many in their beds. One room contained some clerics who were powerless against us. This is what comes of putting your trust in the gods - Ha!

Lastly, we came across a slaver named Amwyr Yuseifah. He was imprisoned, after his deal with the gnolls had soured. While I dislike his profession (I can barely believe I just wrote that. As recently as a year ago I would have claimed his 'inventory' as my due for releasing him - if I didn't just leave him to rot and 'appropriate' them).
He provided a little information about the gnolls and our lost holdings in Katapesh (due to 200 years of unpaid back taxes).
The cousins were all for leaving him locked in the cell until we came back for him, but they were reminded that we are supposed to be trying to do 'good' to fight the curse. This worked, so now we are the proud caretakers of a decrepit slaver - why do I do these things?
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PCs

Dante (dread skeleton, undead 2/ bard 3)
'Mighty' Mert (wight, undead 4/rogue 1/fighter 1)
Omari (huecuva, undead 3/ sorcerer 2)
Sakaya (huecuva, undead 3/ cleric of Gorum 3)
Tori (dread skeleton, undead 2/ fighter 2)

Grorg (troglodyte) [played by Tori's player]