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The loss of the zealot Tarik to an especially powerful zombie and its minions had saddened him despite his dislike of the man; but he had died well defending the delvers and his sacrifice had turned the tide at a critical moment. The Professor imagined that the man's spirit was pleased with how he had died and he was sure Pharasma would judge him worthy for his noble deed. My only regret is that I have but one life to give....!
I'm about to sit down to a RL game, so I only have time for a short post. I fully acknowledge that the behavior of both me and my character have contributed to the current bad mood. I also see that in my eagerness to move the story along, I've come across as overbearing and a bit of a jerk. I'm sorry for that. I'm also keenly aware that I've joined the game late, and that my choice of character and playstyle have caused some issues. As such, if anyone is to step down, it should be me. I hope it won't come to that. I can see that Tariq is not working out, and I'm ready to make a new character, if my presence in this game can be salvaged. More later.
I hope I'm not coming across as confrontational, that is honestly NOT the intention. I'm just a bit baffled as to why you, as a player, feel your character should be afraid to enter the VERY FIRST dungeon he encounters in an AP where the whole premise is to explore ancient tombs? Tariq is acting the way he does because I, as his player, feel that is the best way to have him contribute to advancing the story. He's not suicidal, but he's not afraid of taking chances either. He uses the word "we" because there are two pharasmins in the party, and the eradication of undead is, in his view, a holy duty for both of them. And his fanaticism gives him a convenient excuse for wanting to see what's behind the doors. And I fully trust our GM to scale the challenges ahead to our level. If not, we can always retreat, but without risk, no adventure. In the current situation, we have some PC's who want to move forward, and some who want to turn back. In my mind, that leaves three options: 1) We split the party, and some of us explore while others go back outside and watch the caravan.
Neither of those options are fun for me. I would much rather we found a way to bring us all together as a group who might actually like to go on further adventures together after this. and right now, we have a bunch of strangers who more or less can't stand each other. How do we fix that?
The words of this displaced soul means nothing. We still have a holy duty to ensure that the taint of undeath does not linger in any of these rooms. Ready yourselves or leave. I'm opening the doors.
"If I should guess, I would think the Necromancer is the test of combat, the Evoker is the test of magic, and the Diviner is the test of wit. Perhaps it would be best to begin with the test of combat, while we are all fully rested and uninjured?" Tariq says, indicating the west door with his spear.
"A Soulwrought Echo, he called himself? I don't believe I have ever heard of such a thing. I would think a manipulation of the soul like this would be mentioned in the holy teachings of our Lady of the Graves." Tariq says softly to Kheled, but loudly enough to be overheard.
"What is this? Some illusion trick or a restless spirit trapped here by foul magic?
Tariq takes up position in the second rank, longspear ready. "If any of you want further protection, I can call upon Pharasma's blessing to provide a ward against attacks for a short time."
Tariq casts a glance at the impaled remains of Safan. "If Mus'ad can disable the mechanism, so the body can be moved safely, Kheled and I can administer the rites that will aid his soul as it travels the River of Souls to Pharasma's Boneyard. As to the body itself, the Pathfinder Society will likely know if he has any next of kin. If not, the Society itself will likely want to honor him in some way. Transporting the body may be difficult, though. The heat will hasten the decomposition. There is magic that may delay the decay, but I don't believe it is available to us here. I may be able to perform some rudimentary embalming, but not much more, I'm afraid." He pauses, then adds. "There is also the possibility that Safan has made arrangements to have his soul recalled to rejoin the living. There is only a limited time to do so, and we don't know precisely how long he has been dead. But if we make haste back to Wati, there still may be time." As an afterthought, he adds to Mus'ad. "Perhaps it would be wise to examine the doors as well, to see if anything can be done to prevent them from slamming shut behind us too. I have no desire to end my days in the belly of the Ravenous Sphinx."
Tariq assists Kheled as best he can with the injured men, then returns to the double doors. "I will go in, if nothing else then to make sure this place is not plagued by the restless dead."
Tariq looks around at the gathered people, apparently considering the unfriendly mood and the revelation of the magical talents of Corven and the professor. "It is not my intention to give offense or assume command. My only concern is to do the task we were sent here to do, and to aid anyone still trapped inside. That most likely includes Safan, as the wise Pahmet points out. And in my experience, when clearing a tomb, you either work together as a team or you die one by one." He looks at everyone who have spoken up so far. "It seems there are six of us here, who would be suited to go in and investigate. I will go alone if I must, but I much prefer that we band together, and each of lend whatever skills to the delve as we are best suited for. I request this of each of you, as equals." DC 10 Sense Motive:
Tariq seems genuine in his claims. His tone still does not carry much emotion. Rather, he simply appears focused on the task at hand, and has little understanding or use for niceties or formalities. If eating some humble pie will get the job done, then that is what he'll do. You do, however, also sense that he is done standing around and arguing.
When Kheled calls for water, Tariq moves swiftly to the large tent to retrieve his waterskin from his backpack.
Tariq turns to face the feisty soldier. "Kheled and I are here at the request of Colm Safan, the missing leader of this expedition. He requested our presence because of our skills in aiding the injured and clearing tombs. It is clear that our skills are needed, so we act. I am not a healer, nor am I skilled in finding or disarming traps, which is why I ask Kheled and Mus'ad to do these tasks." "If you and your companion - or anyone else in this caravan - have skills that might aid us, then join us. But take care and do not act rashly. There may be more survivors inside, but we will be of no help to them if we end up gutted by another hidden trap." As before, there is no challenge or reproach in the inquisitor's tone or facial expression. Instead, he speaks calmly and patiently, as a kindly tutor might do to a particular slow student.
Tariq assisted in opening the doors, keeping his longspear close at hand in case anything should burst out of the tomb once they were opened.
The carvings on the wall stirred some memory in his religiously schooled mind, but a brief glance was enough to tell him they did not concern the teachings of Pharasma, and his attention swiftly focused on the men inside, both the living and the dead. "Kheled, see what you can do to help them. Their injuries are beyond my skills." he said, indicating the two survivors. He then glanced down the corridor, and drew the spiral of Pharasma over his chest with a closed fist as he muttered a brief prayer for the soul of the man slain by the trap. "I think we will need your sharp eyes and knowledge of traps as we move in, Mus'ad. You had better take point once we move in. I will cover you from behind with my spear. But first we should wait and see if these two can tell us what happened here."
Tariq lines up close to Mus'ad, careful not to disturb the pahmet in his investigation.
Leaving his backpack in the tent, Tariq exits and looks towards the double doors. Time to enter and investigate, yes? Who goes in?
Tariq nods at the dwarf, accepting his authority this time. "We wait, then."
Tariq answers Pherenike in a calm, measured tone. He does not display much emotion, but merely seems to consider her words from a rational and analytical point of view. "The myth does claim that the Ravenous Sphinx can come alive and devour those who ventured near. However, such myths often cover the unexplained demise of trespassers who fall prey to the very real dangers that lurk within the ancient tombs and ruins. The tracks we found indicate that a number of people left this camp recently in several different directions, bringing along survival gear and rations." "It would make sense that a solid structure like the Sphinx provides better shelter from the khamsin. But the storm is upon us. Moving us all, animals included, would be a risky undertaking, and we have good reason to suspect that something dangerous awaits us within. We should not do so unless it becomes clear that the tents can not withstand the force of the sand and wind." "It might be wise for those of us who are equipped to deal with such dangers to investigate the tomb to determine if it is safe, and if need be clear out any hostile presence. That way, we will be better off if we find ourselves needing to find new shelter in a hurry. I am willing to brave the storm to enter the Sphinx, if that is what we decide to do."
Satisfied that they have learned all they can, Tariq hurries back inside the tent, pausing to make sure that the slower moving Kheled and the others make it in safely. "It looks like the occupants of the camp found something inside the Sphinx that frightened them so much that they rushed off into the wilderness to face the raging storms and roving bands of gnolls and bandits rather than remain here. We had best be vigilant, and prepare for the worst once the storm dies down." he says, once everyone are safely inside.
Not taking his eyes off the ground he was examining, Tariq answered the dwarf calmly. "The porters are already busy securing the horses and wagons. We will seek shelter before the storm hits, but once that happens, any traces will be lost to us forever. This is our only chance to learn what the sands have to tell us of what happened here."
Tossing his backpack into the large tent, Tariq wrapped his scarf around his nose and mouth and turned to survey the deserted camp. "Something is wrong here. Look for tracks and signs of a struggle. Be sure to check all the tents. Quickly, we have only a few minutes before we must take shelter inside." he calls out to the others.
I already posted, coming up with an excuse for joining late. I figure the two of them know each other, and it makes sense for them to be on friendly terms. After all, they both share a childhood experience of facing and defeating undead at an early age. On the other hand, I don't see them as close friends. As the the Death Hunters, I think it would be redundant. Tariq belongs to the Voices of the Spire,the militant wing of Pharasmas church. They are dedicated to destroying undead and already feature in the campaign.
As the caravan reached the city gates, it found a group of armed men bearing the spiral of Pharasma waiting. One of them, a tall man armed with a longspear and wearing leather lamellar armor, detached himself from the rest and stepped forwards to greet the occupants of the first wagon. "Well met! You must be the group headed for the dig in the Brazen Peaks, who requested the the church of Pharasma send people skilled in healing and dealing with the undead. I see our healer found you already. I am here to handle the other part of the request. I apologize for not joining you earlier, but our patrol of the necropolis wall have only just finished. I am Tariq Ur Amothep, of the Voice of the Spire."
Here is Tariq, inquisitor of Pharasma, as promised. If everyone approves, he's ready to begin play. Backstory and description is in the profile. |
