[Gameplay] Part 1: The Lottery & Tomb of Akhentepi

As Avaline looks in the mirror, she sees a reflection of what she would expect, except there is also the image, as if behind her, of a human man with bronzed skin in his forties, wearing white ceremonial robes and a headdress. The reflected images appear stern and disapproving, regardless of your actual facial expression.

The man is clearly Akhentepi.

Jabari still observing the scene being played out, knows something is going on with the mirror. It's putting him on edge. He wraps his hand around his trusty falchion, ready to strike at a moment's notice, although at what, he is not quite sure.

Sasha slides down the right side of the room to the stairs to take a looksee.

Two sets of doors you could try, or you could stare at the mirror and figure out what is attempting to damage Cross?

Let us open those doors. I think that mirror is just a magic trap. It is interesting and properly worth bringing back, if we can cover it first.
Cross places a hand on the door, and if she can't detect magic on the door, she push it open.

There is no magic on either doors. Do you try the doors on map right or map left?

the door to the right.

Jabari shrugs while opening and closing his hand on the hilt of his trusty falchion.

That's as good a choice as any.

The door was slightly ajar, and opens easily. A flight of steps gradually descends to the west down this passage. Halfway down the stairs, small holes and burrowed tunnels riddle what remains of the passage’s southern wall. Earth and sand have spilled over the collapsed masonry, covering the stairs with dirt and rubble. Stone doors engraved with a golden scarab, its wings open beneath a golden sun, stand at either end of the stairs.

Sasha quietly steps back to be out of sight of her guessing creature. She puts her finger to her lips signaling all the room to be quiet and then points toward where she saw the creature at. And the holds up 1 finger indicating number.

Cross draws her weapon quiretly, and signal to Sasha that she has her back

Avaline follows behind, curiosity warring with her desire to not get in harm's way. She stays quiet as requested, remaining toward the back of the group as support.

Jabari takes up the rear so he can see everything and jump to anyone's aid at a moment's notice.

Sasha whispers to Cross, it may be hard to see. as she lets Cross lead.

Lifting the scarab shield up in one hand and with her rapier in the other, Cross moves carefully into hallway.

The creature waits until Cross gets really close and then explodes upwards from the sand, a large serpentine creature apparently made out of sand itself.

Because you're both expecting it, no surprise for either side. Initiative please! If you meet or beat its 15, go for it, in any order.

Google Slide Map updated

Cross tries to interpose the shield between her and the creature

Huh....Jabari looks at his trusty falchion and realizes it might not be much use against a sand monster.

INIT

Sasha moves into range but her whip attack misses (doesnt penetrate its natural armor).

Note: creature is size large. Jabari beat its initiative and can attack.