Bedu agrees to swop piles with Lotus so that the ancient items go to the antiquarians.
When Indo mentions the sarcophagus, he slaps his wide forehead in disgust.
Sounds like a good plan Bedu. It's probably better if I go to the fence alone, he doesn't like big parties. Lotus gathers up the stuff she needs to sell and gets ready to go after a little bite to eat. Going alone also gives me a chance to speak to Amik if I can find him.
Lotus takes the mundane gear (I included the MW temple sword, as no one said they wanted it) to Three-Fingers Nammib, along with the chalice and chest, and comes back with 1424 gp.
Bedu takes the ancient arms and armor to the "Little Ziggurat," where the antiquarians are eager to purchase such relics. He comes back with 1250 gp.
Coupled with the gold from the Queen's chest and cultists, that's a grand total of 2907 gp to divide among yourselves as you see fit.
That leaves the following:
Samir’s amulet & map
Queen’s puzzle-chest
masterwork serpentscale mail (it's a Medium armor if anyone wants it, otherwise you can sell it for another 400 gp)
cloak of resistance
hand of the mage
serpent ring
the 6 vials of amber liquid from the Queen's chest
That's everything except for items people individually took or left behind (look back at the spoilers in my post for Dec. 15 for a reminder of what your character has picked up, if you're one of those).
Lotus:
Skittle declines the offer for a shave & haircut, but does clean himself up a bit. Once everyone returns to the shop, he jumps to his feet. "Well, what's next?" he asks. "I'm not much for treasure hunting and exploring dusty old tombs, but I'd like another crack at those lizard men."
Bedu asks if anyone has any suggestions about dividing up the money and magical items fairly.
He also tries to work out what the amber liquid is using detect magic and his appraise skill 1d20+7=11. He shrugs off the frustration of not knowing the contents.
Should we give the amulet to this Tanish? What do we know of him? I want to please our employers, but also I would rather see justice done, if that matters.
Now that we are through with the catacombs, will anyone go with me to retrieve the sarcophagus and other things from the sewers?
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Serpent Ring
Aura moderate abjuration and conjuration
Fashioned of plain brass and shaped to resemble an open-mouthed snake wrapped around its own tail to form a band. The wearer of a serpent ring is immune to all serpent venom and gains a +3 bonus on saving throws against poison damage. In addition, a viper weapon never attacks the wearer of a serpent ring.
Voila.
Rob:
Lotus returns from Three-Fingers Nammid with a large sack. Guys, I sold the loot for a fortune! The fence gave us 1424 gold rani for the mundane stuff, the temple sword, along with the chalice and chest.
The Rogue definitely opts to take the cloak of resistance from the loot as her own. She volunteers to put in money into the party funds if needed to make up for the expensive item.
Now that we are through with the catacombs, will anyone go with me to retrieve the sarcophagus and other things from the sewers?
I’ll go with you Indo. Just let me get ready.
Great Warrior I will follow you into the sewers
That's three of us. If it is sufficient to carry the coffin back up to the alleys, we'll go when Lotus is ready and continue to add to our profits. From there, we'll see what we need to outfit our next journey.
"I might as well come along, too. I don't think I'm going to be of much use to Bedu sitting around here," Skittle adds.
Lotus:
So Indo, Lotus, Hammurabi, and Skittle are going back to Samir's Sanctum in the catacombs. Bedu, do you want to accompany them or stay at the barber shop?
I'll need a Survival roll from whoever is leading the way to find your way through the twisting passages (Hammurabi has never been there, so can't make a roll).
Once in the catacombs, make a DC 10 Will save.
Failed save:
Bedu opens for business and pays for a street messenger to get a note to Tanish telling him that they have found what he wished for and would he like to meet us later at the same inn.
"I am happy for Lotus to take this magical cloak. She is a useful sort. Who wants this magical serpent ring to protect against poison or the mummified hand that allows a person to a cast a small spell? The gold and rest we can discuss when you return."
Indo spins the ring on his fingers for a few seconds. I can always use such a thing in the jungle, but I am also experienced with poisonous animals. I would take it, but I am just as happy to leave it for someone who might not be prepared to face poison.
He hefts his sword comfortably, The temple blade is a fine weapon, but this one belonged to my father. I could not part from it. I must awaken its secrets and use it for the good of my tribe.
Later, in the tunnels, Indo seems to wrestle with something. He picks his way through the catacombs perfectly, explaining that his people have explored the ruins in the jungles for centuries. Still, he is obviously nervous about something - perhaps his recent brushes with death in these very same tunnels.
Bedu stacks the treasure into seven separate piles.
Indo's pile consists of 1,241 gold and 4 silver.
Skittle's pile consists of a serpent ring plus 241 gold and 4 silver.
Bedu's pile consists of a mummified hand and 341 gold and 4 silver.
Lotus' pile consists of cloak (already taken) and 241 gold and 4 silver.
Hammarubi/Pindara pile consists of 620 gold and seven silver each.
Liet gets the same as Indo.
You make your way through the city's brick-vaulted sewers, trusting Indo to lead you to the deeper catacombs where Samir had his sanctum.
Before you can reach the catacombs however, the stream of filthy water at your feet suddenly erupts as a ferasome-looking creature lunges out of the water at you. It looks like a cross beween an evil lobster and an eel, and has bright red spines running down its back.
Bedu:
Bedu will do his best to hide the rest in the back of his shop until the others come back. Samirs Amulet he keeps on his person and for safety Lotus can carry the map.
If Liet is still around, Bedu will ask him to stay inside and guard he treasures while he studies and prays.
Will Save 1d20=8,
Initiative 1d20=7+7=14
Skittle seems happy about getting out of the barbershop, as almost manic with energy and he moves through the city. When the group heads below ground, however, he becomes much more subdued.
Lotus quickly draws her sword and starts to move around the creature to set up a flanking position.
The animal's unexpected attack spalshes filthy water directly into Indo's eyes. He blinks, carefully holding his sword out in front of him to ward of the beast.
Go around it, he says. I will keep its attention.
As the thing comes into focus, Indowipes more water away from his face and strikes.
Hammurabi, startles at the red crustacean, he swings King Tyrant's claw in a wide arc attacking from the safety of range
Will save=14; Attack=13; Damage=12.
Initiative order:
Lotus 24
Hammurabi 19
Skittle 14
Indo ??
Reefclaw 9
Round 1:
Lotus attempts to slide past the creature, sword drawn.
Before it can react, Hammurabi whips out his glaive and strikes the creature from a safe distance.
Not wanting to get too close, Skittle draws a dagger and hurls it at the beast, but misses.
Indo stands before the creature, trying to hold its attention, and strikes, but his blade goes wide.
The creature lunges forward out of the water with snapping claws. One bites deeply into Indo's leg but he deflects the other claw with his dastana. Indo's wounded leg starts to tingle with pins and needles.
Next round!
Indo ??
Lotus darts forward with her short sword making a Flanking attack (1d20+5=13, 1d6+2=5, 1d6=6).
We need to be quick with this monstrosity people. Lotus encourages her companions.
Indo ??
Forgive me. I blame my children. I'll do better.
Damage roll is 4 total. Attack bonus is back to +5. I think I forgot to change it after I was enlarged.
Bedu cuts, preens and washes anyone who steps into his little salon.
As he does, the dwarf chats away talking about the docks, the way he fell into the nets and in return, hopefully gathering a bit of local information from the bazaar people.
Bedu also tidies up and around after the others have left his shop. A messy shop just will not do. Cleanliness is next to a thick ear as his father used to say.
Scowling at his lack of marksmanship with his dagger, Skittle draws his sword and attacks.
Indo spreads his legs wide to avoid touching the lobster-thing and stabs his weapon straight down at it.
Once more Hammurabi thrusts King Tyrant's Claw at the shelled horror!
Round 2:
Striking from behind, Lotus darts forward with her sword, impaling the creature. A moment later, Hammurabi brings down his glaive upon the slimy eel-thing. Skittle draws his sword and strikes, but misses its thrashing body. Trying to avoid its slashing claws, Indo strikes with his own blade, eliciting a high-pitched shriek from the creature. Though it should surely be dead from the number of wounds it has taken, the thing lunges forward again at Indo, its claws clacking sharply as they close on empty air.
Next round!
Bedu:
As you bustle about yoour shop, you noticce both Liet and Pindara are uncharacteristically quiet. Although Liet helps out, sweeping the shop, he doesn't say much. Pindara spends much of her time looking nervously out the window. She finally turns to you. "I'm sorry Bedu, but I think I'm going to leave. This is much more than I expected. I'm just a potter - I want to be just a potter. I don't want the Cerulean Sisterhood to find me. I trust that you won't share such information, but I just can't risk it any more." She avoids making eye contact with you, as she starts to gather her things.
Bedu pats her shoulder and grins, "A wise decision, one I wish I had a taste for. But the adventure is in my blood, the razor merely a plaything. Now you run along and take your new found wealth, find a happy man and make him even happier, you lovely potter."
The dwarf watches her preparing to leave and whispers gently to just her, "you can trust me, Pindara, I shall not speak of you to the Cerulean Sisters. By the oath of the bearded Dao of the Maze."
He turns to Liet and waits a while before returning to his pottering about.
Hammurabi attempts to deflect a nasty claw from vectoring towards a companion, he fails! [ooc]To hit 4[ooc]
"By the rainbow serpent, this unatural thing needs to die!"
"I know I missed, father, but it's hard to focus with you yammering in my ear!" Skittle yells, as he ducks to keep from getting knocked over, draws his kukri, and attacks with both blades.
Attack 1d20=11+2=13, Damage 1d6=4+1=5
Attack 1d20=7+2=9, Damage 1d4=3+1=4
Indo lifts a leg to escape the beast, seeing his friends strike it hwile it moves toward him. Already off balance, Indo goes for broke and descends with all his weight on his adversary.
Seeing her success the first time, Lotus darts in again from behind and uses her sword to great effect.
Round 3 flanking attack (1d20+7=18, 1d6+2=8, 1d6=5)
Round 3:
Lotus darts in again, deftly slipping her blade into the creature. Before anyone else can react, the things spasms horrifically, lashing out with its claws in a frenzy even as death claims it. One of its claws catches Lotus, slicing deeply into her leg, before the monster finally falls still. Lotus feels her leg start to go numb.
The beast is dead!
Making your way forward, you continue on your way to Samir's sanctum. It looks much the way you left it. There are a fair number of wooden crates packed with straw in the main room. Scattered among the crates are a lot of grave goods from various tombs and crypts, much of it mundane and/or broken. There’s a sarcophagus adorned with the sedate image of an eagle-headed woman (lying face down on the floor). Also in the main room are a bullseye lantern, shovel, crowbar, coil of rope, light hammer and light pick. A light crossbow lies among the fallen crates, connected to a long string to which several small bells have been tied.
In the back room, along with the charred remains of Samir, there is a small cot, a barrel serving as a table, and a stool.
Skittle yells, "Ha!" and skewers the dead creature with his short sword, before he turns and follows the others in to Samir's chambers.
Lotus feels her leg go numb, but tries to shake it off. As they make their way to Samir's sanctum, the tomb raider is amazed at the items collected here. In her wonder she totally ignores the crossbow, but immediately starts ruffling through the crates for valuables.