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

TLDR Version

The city of Wati has a giant walled off portion that is a huge necropolis, normally off limits to all but certain members of the church of Pharasma. You are given a tomb to explore with the sanction of the church. You can only explore sites specifically designated for your adventuring party. The first site you are given is called the Tomb of Akhentepi (#23, at top left in map below). You can begin exploring it tomorrow morning after a ceremonial opening of the necropolis gates (#14 on the map).

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Longer Version

The bustling desert city of Wati is near bursting with excitement. Adventurers from every corner of the Inner Sea region have assembled here beneath the hot Osirian sun to explore the tombs of the city’s necropolis, waiting only to be assigned their first sites for exploration. Surrounding the participants, the public has gathered to observe the ceremony as well. There is a festival-like quality in the air, and numerous street vendors are hawking goods and refreshments to participants and spectators alike. Some merchants have even brought what can only be considered adventuring gear to sell as last minute convenience items to explorers, while others advertise that they’ll buy recovered treasures and antiquities from those who visit their establishments.

In front of the imposing edifice of the Grand Mausoleum, an immense awning has been erected between decorated pillars in the market to provide shade for the priests of Pharasma overseeing the lottery. Beneath the awning, two urns sit atop a table elevated a few feet above the ground on a wooden stage constructed for the event. The high priestess of the Grand Mausoleum, Sebti the Crocodile, sits behind the table, while two acolytes confer with her at either side.Numerous adventuring groups stand in small clusters near the stage, made up of multiple nationalities and races. Most keep to themselves, but some teams engage in quiet conversation with other teams, mostly speculating about what they’ll likely face in the necropolis.

The ceremony begins when the high priestess of the Grand Mausoleum, Sebti the Crocodile, rises to her feet and looks over the crowd. Sebti seems surprisingly young to hold such a distinguished position, but she has a confident air of authority. After calling for silence, she begins with an invocation to the Lady of Graves, followed by a brief history of the founding of the necropolis. Sebti concludes by saying the following.

"Let the lottery begin! Although many of you have requested specific sites to explore, we must leave these matters to fate. The Lady of Graves is a far better judge of destiny than we of this mortal sphere. The gates of the necropolis will open at sunrise tomorrow. Use this evening to prepare yourselves for the task ahead. Let these rules guide you in your endeavors in this holy place: remember how this came to pass, every slave’s hut is a memorial, and honor the departed. May you go with the Lady’s blessing."

The priests of the Grand Mausoleum have decided on a lottery to distribute access to the tombs to make the process impartial and subject to the dictates of fate, in keeping with Pharasmin religious tenets. The church has mapped the necropolis and designated selected sites within it for exploration, dividing them into three pools, from the smallest and simplest of structures to the largest and potentially most complex. Each party of explorers is assigned three sites, one at a time, so that a group must complete its exploration of one site before gaining access to another. This process wasn’t intended to simply be arbitrary.

The church also seeks to avoid conflict between groups within the necropolis, the neglect of smaller sites in favor of those that might contain more wealth, and bribery and backroom deals with local officials to gain access to specific structures researched in advance. The Grand Mausoleum is dedicated to remaining neutral throughout the entire affair.

After Sebti returns to her seat, the two acolytes accompanying her each draw a wooden token from one of the urns on the table. The first token identifies the adventuring group, matching the token that group received when it registered for the lottery. The second token determines which tomb is assigned to that group.

A single representative of the chosen group is then summoned to the stage to present the token his group received at registration to one of the acolytes. Once the group’s identity has been confirmed, Sebti shows the representative the location of that group’s first exploration site on a map of the entire necropolis. She also gives the representative a smaller, sketched map that shows the site’s location in relation to the necropolis gates. Once a group has received its assignment, the process repeats with a new group.

When the name of the their group, Dungeon Delvers is called, the PCs should choose a representative to approach the stage and receive their assignment.

Having already carried out significant research into the history of Wati during his travel here, Bernard is not surprised by any of the information described by Sebti the Crocodile, but finds himself impressed by the enthusiasm of her delivery nonetheless - this is clearly important to her.

The idea that their site will be selected by random chance disturbs Bernard's desire for Order, yet he finds himself unaccountably excited at the prospect of not being able to guide the outcome. This, after all, is what he came here for!

Bernard gives thought to going up to receive the site for the Dungeon Delvers, but recalling the many looks of distrust he has received as an outsider since he has come to Wati and joined this group, he decides to leave it to one of the more local members of their party.

He expresses his final thought almost before he realises it "Luck!"

The closer this day had come the more excite, and jittery, Khadi has been. She must have asked Rivel a thousand time in various details of the necropolis and the undead. To her fathers credit he had answered where he could, though it was clear he would rather she not take part. At some point though he had come to accept that rather she was in the necropolis making sure at least her team, if not ithers, where being respectful.

Their team at a few hiccoughs but they would only be worked out in actual action, not sitting around the table with a beer.

Everything in the necropolis was a tomb and logically they may not get anything interesting, but in her heart this would be the start of an adventure, to both prove herself and pay everyone else back.

As adventures start to move forward she turns to everyone else. 'May both Pharasma and Kheppri look favourably on us' She gives a wink and begins to move forward.

Esmae is Jittery, yet nervous about exploring the tombs.
Hopefully somewhere in these tombs..she will find her true lineage, and maybe even claim so type of desitany.

But with lottery on its way not only does she have a duty to her companions, put her city.
I must make sure rules are followed and not broken...That is if she can hold her composure.she says to her self.

Iseret stands with her companions silently, her thoughts her own. She looks over her party, lingering on each for a moment. What a varied group. Perhaps, just perhaps, this might be a favorable and profitable veture.

The priestess looks up at Khadi from her seat and gestures to the acolyte to her left. He takes the token your are given for your team and looks at it, white with a blue hieroglyph, and says, "The Destined Delvers." The second acolyte turns over his token, blue with a white hieroglyph, and says, "The Tomb of Akhentepi." They hand Avaline the second token with the site name, while the token with your team name is placed in a sacred box; you know that there are three sites in total that you will be assigned. The other two will come later, after the delegates complete their first assignment.

Sebti the Crocodile looks up at you and says, "Pharasma's grace be your light in the dark."

Well that sounded promising. It actually had tomb in the name. She fights back a smile as she receives the token, and any additional information. 'Thank you. May her mysteries guide you as well.' She bows her head to the priestess's and then Sebti. While not a follower she was respectful of the lady of graves. Plus angering the her high priestess was the last things she wanted to do.

Once all information is received she heads back, and spring sneaking into her step as she gets a certain distance away from the table, the grin finally breaking out as she shows the details.

'Sounds an interesting one friends. Akhentepi. Have any of you heard of him. How bout in your books Bernard?' She knew a lot of the histories of the old gods, but was less well versed in the histories of the mundane.

"Akhentepi? Hmmm..."

Bernard knows nothing of this Akhentepi. Perhaps he or she was a minor figure of enough wealth to have a tomb constructed, but not celebrated enough to be noted in the histories he has read.

"Well, here we are with a goal finally in sight. Shall we begin?"

Gethean looks at the map of the Necropolis to see if he knows where to go, waving Iseret over to him to see what she may know of the location.

Just a reminder from the top of the first post of the game: The first site you are given is called the Tomb of Akhentepi (#23, at top left in map). You can begin exploring it tomorrow morning after a ceremonial opening of the necropolis gates (#14 on the map).

"Most intriguing - I have heard nothing of this Akhentepi - how exciting!"

Bernard is thrilled at the idea of learning new information.

I can't wait... Esmae says to her companions.
Sarenrae be with us, I must go pray, and ask for strength and guidance, if you need me, I will be with the clerics of Sarenrae.
Esmae turns and walks toward the church.

Iseret checks her equipment again, making sure that everything is in its place.

With the grand opening to come in the morning, you likely want to be well rested for the days vigors. Who knows what horrors or boredom you will face? Will you even be able to sleep this eve?

To where will you retire for the evening?

Bernard retires to his part of the Suite in the Tooth and Hookah, feverishly looking for information on Akhentepi and the hazards of the Necropolis in general, to try and work out which spells to prepare tomorrow morning.

He would also probably canvas others who may already be familiar with the Necropolis.

Jaware is also a little exited. It is finally happening. He will finally be able to prove his worthy.

He stays a little in at the tavern hall of the Tooth and Hookah inn to the drink some beer and relax a little.

After a couple of drinks he gets up and says:

A toast to Akhentepi, may it riches became ours tomorrow!

He says good night to his drinking buddys and retires to his quatters

Khadi had tried over the last couple of months but it seemed like some of her new teammates were still boring and rathered pray or study instead of celebrate. She would be up in the morning with the rising sun and the workers to offer her prayers to Khepri and ask for his magic. Tonight was the time to celebrate, maybe even get to know some of the others in the lottery.

While she stayed with her fathers in the city she headed with the others to the Tooth and Hookah, as she often did, to share drinks for a while, until everyone else decided to call it a night, then she would head home.

Gethean sits a this table drinking his wine and observing the other members of The Destined Delvers. He never imbibes to much wine to ever lower his awareness... he just likes the flavor and always savors it. The barmaids always know he never has more than two glasses, no matter the length of time he spends within the Tooth and Hookah.

He orders a meal while he listens to the music, and the conversation as the night lengthens. When he is through he heads home for the night, but considers speaking with Bernard in the morning about possibly staying at the Inn with the rest of the company,

Bernard often sits with Gethean and also has a glass of wine, often using his knowledge of geography to expound more detail on the region the wine comes from, though he is far from expert on the wine itself.

There is little happening tonight at the Tooth & Hookah.

There is a general sort of buzz, many folk discussing the lottery. A few have picked favorites, and are discussing the chances of survival or success.

Quite a few are anxious, a kind of dread best categorized by "that which is dead should remain undisturbed". Almost a state motto in Wati, until today.

Speculation on the motives of the Phasmines and the Pharoah, general excitement about the unknown, and legitimate concern about ancient curses and the living dead.

Bernard will do his best o listen for information about any of the other groups, and if any are present, try and run a surreptitious eye over them - after all, despite the rules they were told, human nature suggests at least one of the groups will attempt something nefarious.

Gethean has asked around to see if his friends on the watch and his family have heard anything interesting as of late.

There are no other adventuring parties in the inn tonight it seems, although the Sand Scorpions were here earlier in the day. The Dog Soldiers were turned away by the innkeeper, Farhaan, because there was no accommodation for the halfling team's 'trained' pack of fighting dogs.

Bernard does hear that a few of the Adventuring teams are planning on coming to the Tooth & Hookah after exploring the tombs. It might be the first night or the second, depending on how they all do.

Seeing the main floor of the Tooth and Hookah is fairly quiet, Bernard resolves to retire early, do some last minute study of things he considers relevant for tomorrows efforts, and goes to bed, his excitement at the prospect of finally putting his skills to the test becoming an almost palpable thing.

Due to the quietness of the Tooth and Hookah, as the rest of her companion retreat Khadi also leaves to go to the haunts more popular with workers and the locals, just enjoying the night bit also trying see if anyone has heard anything about Akentepi or the other groups. Eventually she will return home, ready to rise with the sun to pray and prepare.

Shortly after Bernard retires to the rooms Gethean decides to retire for the night as well.

The next morning you arrive. You've paid your custom for your prior night's stay, and packed up all of your belongings for what could potentially be a multi-day trek into the necropolis. You know that you'll be on your own, with no recourse to guard patrols or supply vendors. The gates are closed, and at the appointed time, the priests perform a brief ceremony. You hear again the reverence the Pharasmins have for the necropolis, and how reluctant they are for the the place to be treated with anything other than that same reverence. They call upon the adventuring bands to remember their sacred duty, and that anyone caught desecrating or unduly destroying property will have their eligibility withdrawn from future assignments.

When the gates open the various teams enter cautiously, and proceed in one of several directions. You know your assignment is to at the far end, slightly to the left of how you pass through the gates.

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How do you proceed? The streets are wide enough for three or four abreast if that is your choice, but give me a base marching order. Also, you can discuss your path, but from the map I will otherwise assume that you will go through 14, head along the road between 2 and 4, toward 26 and then to 23 which is your location.

Bernard would prefer to adopt a position in the middle area of the party, recognising his fragile nature provides him little semblance of endurance should he be the firs tot come under attack from any particular direction.

Determining route he leaves to the members of the party more expert in that sort of thing.

Khadi radiates excitement as she waits for the gates to open. Bouncing on the spot she keeps rotating her shoulders trying to adjust to the weight of the new crossbow slung across her back. She told people not to rely on her aim but quite a few, her fathers included, had insisted on some sort of weapon.

As the gates open she wants to rush forward but resists nodding to the others with a grin. The streets of the necropolis could hold dangers, and with armour interfering with her ability to manipulate positive energy she had begrudgingly accepted maybe she shouldn't go first.

'To adventure new knowledge and proving ourselves then?' She grins even more at her comp anions as she settle in behind some of the others.

Iseret prefers to remain in the second rank so that she has easy access to doors and traps, but is not in the first wave of fighting. The route is fine with her. She falls into step with the rest of the group, eyes wide with wonder at the necropolis around her.

Esmae seeing the party leave the inn, she makes a slight donation to the Clerics of Sarenrae before she meets up with them..

Gethean waits for the party to move out before falling in at the end of the column, from patrolling this city with the watch for decades, he knows trouble can come from anywhere, even below the shifting sands. The route seems like it is reasonable but he is always ready for anything, he hopes.

Jaware will stay at the rear.

You pass quickly through the first square, around Pharasma's Needle, and into the streets.Deeper into the necropolis, passing decrepit buildings in largely good repair despite the centuries, but obviously worn by weather, you come across a group of priests. They hail you in the street as you approach.

"Hail, adventurers. Do you have your token?" They eye you suspiciously, but not hostilely. You can tell that they're checking your gear and belongings, but for what, isn't apparent.

'Certainly friend!' Khadi moves to the side of Esme and holds up the token with their destination, but makes sure the paladin is still slightly in front. It was likely silly to be on guard, but the cleric is charged with adrenaline, ready for danger. 'Is everything alright?'

The priests gently accept the token and peer at the rune. He hands it back, asking, "Which site is this for?"

'The tomb of Akentepi. Do you know anything about the site?'

The priest nods and they stand aside. "Safe journey, friends. The road is clear most of the way, but keep an eye out. There are dangers about."

They allow you to pass without any further questions.

The priest shakes his head sadly. "This is no summer romp for a librarian, sir. If you are uncertain what you may face, you should leave now. The dead walk, all manner of serpents and vermin slither and skitter, magical traps set centuries ago, gangs of tomb robbing murderers, and rumors even of a dragon. This is no place for the innocent. Come, we will escort you back."

Presuming that none of you take their advice, you soon arrive at the Tomb.

A rectangular stone mausoleum sits alone in what appears to have once been an actual cemetery. The trunks of a few dead trees poke out of the sand around the tomb, and a hot breeze whistles through their desiccated branches. A set of massive stone double doors is affixed to the northern side of the structure, beneath a facade bearing the likeness of an Osirian man. Windblown sand is heaped around the crypt, partially burying the doors that lead within.

'Please forgive my friend. He is smart is some areas, but sometimes the heat gets to him. We will be fine. I wish you well, and I hope no-one decides to cause any trouble in this scared place.' Khadi nods her head even as she shoots Bernard a confused look. He should know it was voices not eyes.

As they finally reach their destination her excitement is even more noticeable. 'So who wants to to the honours? I would volunteer but..?' She gives a grin as she flexes a very unimpressive arm.'

"I'll just make sure that it's safe," Iseret says, stepping towards the doors. She carefully examines the doors and doorframe for any irregularities or deadfalls/hidden triggers.

The name of the individual interred within the tomb, Akhentepi, is engraved upon the doors in Osiriani, along with the dates of his birth and death, indicating that the deceased was born in 2416 ar and died in 2488 ar, 11 years before the Plague of Madness decimated most of the city.

Iseret is able to discern only that the doors are 10 feet tall and made of solid stone. There are also telltale traces of mortar along the seams and jamb that has since crumbled or been chipped away, indicating that the doors were meant to be sealed permanently and not intended to be opened again.

She is unsure how they might be intended to open.

Gethean continues to look around while the others focus on the door. He looks at the size of the tomb, and decides to take a look around the sides of the tomb to make sure the area is clear. When satisfied he returns to the main entrance.

Gethean finds nothing of concern on the outside of the tomb, but does notice that doors appear to swing outwards to open. As such the sand in front of the doors will need to be cleared and then you'll somehow need to get purchase on the smooth stone to pull them open.

"Thankyou, I think I should be OK against most of those with my companions here - the dragon I would likely try and run, hide or negotiate depending on how we cross paths." he says to the Priest, the last with a soft chuckle.

Looking at the Tomb of Ahkentepi, Bernard has a good look around and tries to puzzle out how to open it with as little damage as possible, perhaps even being able to seal it back up on the way out.

Bernard gets the same conclusion as Gethean, but it is is engineering knowledge that tells him that the doors are on concealed hinges and swing outwards to open. As such the sand in front of the doors will need to be cleared and then you'll somehow need to get purchase on the smooth stone to pull them open.

"Ah yes, the doors open outward. You will need to clear the sand from the front, and we should then be able to swing them open."

It is pretty clear the old man is not intending to do the digging.

I would suggest Bernard and I scout around while you all do the digging, but I fear even we are no match if this supposed dragon' Khadi jokes as she looks at the piles of sand. Everyone would know that the two of them alone was asking for them to be picked off.

'Come on old man. If we work together we might be able to match one of Esmae's muscles.' She rolls up some imaginary sleeves.

Iseret sighs and begins the arduous task of removing sand.

It takes about an hour of hard work for you together to clear the sand. When you're done, the doors stand there looking difficult. How might you open it?

You can try a Strength check but the DC is quite high so you'll need to work together, unless one of you has a tool.

'So...uh who remembered to bring a crowbar?' Khadi as she runs a hand down the door, hoping to find a hidden handle of something, however unlikely.

Gethean examines the door, injecting the mortar between the seam and the jambs. He uses his dagger to test the integrity of what remains, seeing if anything shows in the spots where it is crumbling and if any more can be removed.

"Iseret, you wouldn't happen to have anything useful for the situation at hand would you? Bernard, perhaps a spell of some sort?

Jaware lets the professional trappers and archwatch, looking for any sign of enemies or dangers.eologists do their work as he keeps

Your perceptions are for naught, revealing neither a way in, nor identifying any foes, although for the latter, you are not attacked during the digging so perhaps your perception was adequate and the enemies, sensing your vigilance, chose to find more unaware prey, so good job, perhaps?

The door remains closed.

"Though I know of many spells that could achieve this, in my current withered state I am afraid I am not capable of casting them. I fear I would also be of disbenefit in terms of trying combine our physical strengths, but if you all can combine, I have seen something before that may be of assistance that I have always wanted to try."

When the party begin trying to push the door open, Bernard will start to sing, as though he were a bard attempting a bardic performance. His voice is surprisingly good.

Iseret makes her attempt to aid the others, putting her back into it, as it were. Sadly, she is of little assistance and actually ends up being in the way more than helping out.

Kadi rolls her eyes as Bernard starts singing before getting stuck in to help.

Jaware will also help to open the door.

Gethean strains to grip the edges of the door. As the others try pull the door open as well.

"Hmm, I suppose when my students were telling me I had the voice of a bard they really were just trying to ingratiate themselves for a higher grade. Ah well, ‘twas worth a try."

Bernard creakily walks over to the other puffing and panting trying to open the door.

"Clearly this is a task that will require all of our strength. Now, I must beg of you all, do not tell anyone I was seen carrying manual labour please. I have done nothing such as this in a very long time."

Bernard places all the stuff he is carrying off the the side and starts limbering up. It is a slow process, and there are many audible cracks and creaks coming from the old mans body as he stretches and tries to get his body ready in order to do this. Once satisfied with that aspect, he start doing a strange breathing pattern to try and get as much oxygen into his body before he starts as possible.

'Manual labour is not something to be ashamed of friend. If no one did it, there would be no buildings, no tombs, no walls. Sometimes one must do what they do not wish.' The cleric gives a wink, tapping the scarab around her neck, before joining the wizard in giving it her all.

Iseret sighs and readies herself for a Herculean effort.

Esmae steps forward apalled that these simpletons can not even open a door.
Stand aside please and I will open the door
Esmae says with a little sarcasm

Even with the +6 assist, Esmae's brief attempt fails to open the door.

Bernard tries with all of his might to help open the door to no avail.

Exhausted, he leans over, panting, gasping for air.

After he recovers a bit, he gives the door a quick kick and stubs his toe.

"Gah! I am so far equal best door opener amongst you all!"

He then takes a seat on the ground with all the grace of a sack of potatoes."Alright, now that you’ve shown us all how strong you are, perhaps a bit more focus and concentration brought to bear might help? I swear I thought I saw it move a little last time."

Okay people, let's try this together. 1, 2, 3 and pull!

'Come on Esmae put your back into it.' Khadi teases as she takes a brief respite along with Bernard before jumping back into it with Jaware's guidance.

Gethean again grabs on to the door and pulls with everything he has.

After clearing the sand, together you make slow work of the doors. Working in concert, your muscles straining in the hot sun, you pull it open, inch by inch (they open outwards). It takes about two minutes to open it wide enough that the largest of you can pass through.

This rectangular room is empty save for some engravings and fixtures upon the walls, a pair of heavy stone doors to the north, and an immense stone wheel against the south wall. The air is stale, and a layer of dust and sand covers the floor, lying in a thicker layer to the south. All four walls bear sunk-relief engravings and hieroglyphs, while small stone faces are affixed to the walls at about shoulder height in each corner. The stone wheel to the south is engraved with a large spiral and is set in stone tracks in the floor and ceiling.

Bernard looks around in wonder - the fact the door was still sealed suggests nobody has been in here in thousands of years. He takes in a deep breath and looks all around, trying to engage all of his senses in this wonder. Upon seeing the hieroglyphs, Bernard would read them out loud in his clear, reedy voice.

"Just as well we are archaeologists and not robbers then eh? Though I would assume most of the defences mentioned are unlikely to make such a distinction if they are still functioning after all these years."

As the door opens Esmae can see that is little to no light, so with a quick prayer to Saranrae...her hand starts to light up as she places it on her shield.
Well here is a little light to shine in the darkness Esmae says as she takes point and hence though the door of the tomb.

'And this is why teamwork is important.' Khadi cheerful pants out as they finally get the door opening. It would have been embarrassing if their adventure ended before it begun because of a door.

'Hopefully Sarenrae and Khepri can put in a good word for us.' She grins as she looks around. As light flares up on Esmae's shield allowing for all the detail to be taken in she gives a chuckle.

'Showing off a little there. Our light may not be as bright just yet but it will last. Khepri, a little help?' Khadi speaks to the scarab symbol as she casts her own spell before taping a piceof Jaware's armor of allowed. It isn't as bright as Esmaes shield but would hopefully provide him a little more sight of things came from the back.

Jaware rejects the illumination on himself.

It's better if you cast it on yourself my lady. I may be nedded to scout ahead.

You likely need to move the huge stone wheel to gain access to the interior of the temple. How do you move it?

Bernard looks to deduce how it was intended to function and how it might best be moved, but is unfamiliar with this particular design.

The stone wheel against the south wall is 10 feet in diameter and 6 inches wide, and weighs almost 5,700 pounds. The wheel can be rolled to either side along its track. Moving the wheel requires a total Strength score of 28; from the north, up to four characters can add their Strength scores together to move the wheel. From the south, the wheel’s edges can’t be reached for leverage. From the south, moving the wheel still requires a total Strength score of 28, but only two characters can attempt to do so at one time. Pitons hammered into the wheel can act as handles, allowing more characters to apply their Strength scores to moving the wheel. Alternatively, the wheel can be broken or knocked free of its tracks. The wheel is far too heavy to roll back into a closed position by itself, but pitons or other similar tools can wedge it into either an open or closed position.

It seems that after we open the crypt we will need to leave it opened

"I, for one, would rather. Better we have an open means of escape if necessary."

'Come now Jaware. You should know by now I am no lady.' Khadi gives a small chuckle before placing the light spell on her holy symbol.

'I had been expecting fancy traps and hordes of undead, yet who would have thought the most effect way to stop tomb... Explorers... Was a load of really heavy objects? Did anyone bring pitons?

"We should have discussed supplies before we began, it is not to late to acquire the tools we seem to need before we go any further. I brought my sword and a bow, plus my rope. We need tools to open this portal, and something to assure that it stays open while we are inside."

I would hate to be locked in here, who knows what we might find inside.

Using a dagger or handaxe could be used to jam the wheel if you manage to move it aside. Probably.

A translucent scorpion wanders into the tomb and darts toward Esmae. Despite its sneakinesd, all of you see it come in.

Initiative please. Each you echo beat scorpies init, go ahead and act in any order. Initiative order between players will not be kept strict in order to speed play.

So named for their eerie, translucent carapaces, ghost scorpions are nocturnal desert hunters. A ghost scorpion’s body is 3 feet long with a 3-foot long tail, and it weighs 45 pounds.

Gethean draws his sword and steps right to the front, as he swings at the scorpion.

Relieved to see Gethean interposed between the creature and himself, Bernard looks to help out by targetting the creature with a Ray of Frost.

Iseret

Iseret snaps off a shot with her crossbow, aiming for the monster.

The first three attacks all hit, doing a total of 9 damage. It's still up.

'So who's ready for round...thaaat's too big.' Khadi spins as she heres the scuttling, expressing her concern for the scorpions size even as she reach's for her crossbow. Point and shoot, that was all there was to it right? Except clearly not as her shot goes very wide.

Jaware attacks the scorpion using Ranged Spell Combat to shoot a Arrow (with deadly aim) and cast acid splash against it.

The four of first five attacks hit, doing a total of 10 damage. It's still up. and it is Esmae's attack.

If Esmae doesn't post by tonight, I'll act for them (a 48 hour rule).

Esmae attacks with a scimitar.

The ghost scorpion attacks Esmae. It Pounces, attacking multiple times.

Esmae, flat footed, takes one claw for 2 damage.

Everyone is up again.

Having found his previous Ray of Frost successful, Bernard sees no need to change strategy.

Jaware's acid splash does the trick, killing the ghost scorpion.

Combat is over.

"Haha! Well done all! Like a well oiled machine. At least we appear to be more competent at combat than we are at manual labour."

Unfortunately, the fight did not jostle the giant stone wheel. Will you put your backs into it and roll it to the side?

Khadi looks at her very stray arrow as Bernard speaks at the groups competence. 'Well most of us perhaps. If it was a zombie scorpion I like to think it would have been stopped before it dealt any harm. Are you okay Esmae? I can heal it you wish, though it looks just a nick.'

She looks back to the stone. 'Turns out my jokes of bringing my Dad's collegues along for the architecture should not have been laughed off at the pub. Lets get to it again, yes?'

Let me help you.

Gethean eyes the stone wheel and gets up close as he starts to push.

"There is room for four to find purchase there, I believe that the four strongest should be able to manage it."

Iseretm moves to help, but finds that she will just be in the way, so she keeps watch instead.

Together, four of you manage to move the stone, slowly rolling it to the side. It reveals another chamber.

This square room is starkly devoid of any markings or adornment. In the center of the chamber’s floor, a square shaft drops straight down into darkness. A faint musty odor rises from the pit. A single piton has been hammered into the stone floor by the northeast corner of the pit, and a dusty length of rope dangles from the piton into the darkness of the shaft.

How are you going to keep the wheel from rolling back and blocking your path out, or is that a problem only for future you?

'Okay may be a bit gruesome but any chance we can wedge our snappy friend in there? Or anyone want to give up a knife?'

"I say we try to jam it using the scorpion's body. And I don't think that I would trust that rope."

The scorpions body is sturdy enough to serve admirably in that ancient and noble profession of wheel-door stopper.

Jaware looks at Gethean Jael

So, do we have any volunteer? We don't have many elves in Osirion, but I hear they have a natural talent to move silently and are able to see in the dark.

Gethean drops his rope and starts unfurling it, looking at the piton and the rope currently tied to it.

Would someone be so kind as to pull that rope up to see how long it is? I don't plan to use it, but it will tell us how far the drop is hopefully. And we can drop a torch down before I go, or some source of light.

"I can cast a spell upon a stone and we can throw that down if you like."

Gethean ties off the new rope to the piton and checks the length of the old rope to see if 50 feet of rope will be enough to get him to the bottom. Then checks his gear before going over the edge.

The shaft drops 60 feet down to the floor of a chamber below. The rope extends only 5 feet into the shaft before ending, having been cut at that point. The rope is thoroughly rotted and crumbles if handled.

Gethean would be able to climb down easily enough with the rope, but he would have about a ten to fifteen foot drop at the end.

I have a brand-new silk rope here but is only 50 feet also. Maybe we can cut the best part of the old rope and tie the two parts together. I mean tie the new rope with the best part of the old rope. If someone prepared Mending we can even make it a 60 feet rope

'Perhaps they could be tied together? Perhaps even some knits to make sure our old man doesn't fall.' She teases even as she looks down. She herself was likely aat as much risk of slipping.

'Or some of you physically competent lot climb down, Esme can lower those of us likely to break our necks down?'

"Knots would be best for Bernard and Khadi especially, for the rest of us as well. Drop the stone down and I will tie the ropes together."

You fasten the two ropes together, and then tie knots every couple of feet to give something to grab onto and rest your weight on as you descend.

The piton hammered into the stone by the last descenders seems to be very secure, but still you would be wise to take it one at a time to save the rope and the piton from possible breakage.

Who goes first?

Bernard had offered a Light stone.

Iseret nods her agreement with the plan, making ready to follow Gethean.

Gethean checks the rope before climbing down. Listening to see if anything is going to be at the bottom when he gets there.

Gethean makes it down easily.

Mirrored images of a warrior in side profile, facing inward, are carved on an ornate pair of stone doors in the west wall of this square room. The figure is depicted wearing padded armor, with a scarab-shaped shield on the arm facing the viewer, and a raised khopesh held aloft in the other. A crumpled humanoid body lies directly in front of the doors. A hint of decay hangs in the air, and a dried stain mars the stone floor under the body. From below, a square shaft in the ceiling leads straight up into darkness.

As the others make their way down one by one, Bernard grows more and more agitated, starting to pace around the room.

"I have read many books on adventuring Khadi, and I believe I am now experiencing something many of them mention. No matter how many spells one has at their disposal, one always finds oneself wishing they had prepared something else almost every day. I don't suppose they'd mind if I rested for 8 hours to prepare Feather Fall hmm?"

The last is said with a grimace, but it is clear Bernard's agitation is from trying to psyche himself up for this climb.

The very same one.

Khadi let's out a laugh. 'Will they mind? No. Will they wait? Also no.' She knew where the wizard was coming from. Kepir was not a god of fate so sometimes the spells she pryaed for where not always the ones she needed.

'I' ll go first. Then if you fall Khepri and I will just fix right up. Unless you break your neck. Don't do that, I can't fix those yet. If I fall... Well hopefully someone down there knows there way through healing supplies. '

Iseret skillfully follows Gethean down the rope (though perhaps with less flair). Dropping nimbly to the floor, she pauses to inspect the body (without touching it).

The Climb DC is only 5, but armor check penalties apply. Failing by 4 or less means you make no progress (roll again), but failing by 5 or more on the check would be disastrous.

Edit: You can always choose to take 10 on a climb check, so unless your penalties amount to -5 or more, there would be no need to roll, and instead simply state that is what you're doing.

Jaware stays alert until Iseret and Gethean says it is safe to come down. Then he makes his descent.

As just her and Bernard are left Khadi gives a wink to the wizard. 'If I die, you can get my scrolls.' She grins before making a careful descent. As she gets to the bottom her eyes immeadiatly land on the body.

' Well rather him than us, but this doesn't bode well.' She forgets about saying she would watch for Bernard falling as she crouches by the body, trying to figure out how long he's been dead for, and if it was the fall or something else which caused his death.

Having managed to safely descend further into the tomb, Bernard ruefully looks upward and says "I sincerely hope for an easier way out."

He then casts light onto his staff, and proceeds to take a look around.

"Hmm, logic would deduce that that is Akhentepi given that this is his tomb. Hmm, seems to have been a warrior of some sort."

Examining the body, you put the pieces together. The body was that of an explorer. They hammered in a piton up top, and attached a rope, and lowered themselves down, but they didn't get far before the rope was cut from above. They fell most of the way down, shattering their legs. They crawled toward the door from the lower chamber, but did not manage to open it, and died there.

The corpse's gear has suffered decades of rot and rust and is mostly unusable, though a thorough search yields a couple of metal pitons and a usable hammer, as well as two vials of alchemist's fire that have miraculously remained unbroken.

'I hope Phrasma has you soul friend. Though she may not judge in your favour.' Khadi speaks over the body. She had bee ready for threats of the undead but this reminded her there were other ways thy could pass here. Still it was her role to ensure that didn't happen.

'Shall we go on then? We can maybe bring his body back with us for proper rites, though with the time he has been here he may no longer have people missing it.' The rope had been cut. His own allies? Her mind kept drifting to the subject despite efforts to push it from her mind.

She strides up to the doors, almost ready to push them open herself to get out the the now very claustrophobic room, but pauses to give their heavy armoured members a questioning look.

The carvings on the door depict Akhentepi s a younger man. They are unsecured but quite heavy, and can be pushed open with a enough strength (DC 10, but no roll required, most of you can take 10 and succeed). The man who fell could not muster the leverage with his broken legs to get them open.

As you push the doors open, you see that the walls of the ten-foot-wide corridor feature bas-relief carvings of great battles. Armies with spears and shields clash at the direction of generals, while other leaders direct troops from chariots that are ruthlessly overrunning their enemies. Engraved stone double doors stand at the far end of the hallway. In these carvings, Akhentepi is an older man riding in a chariot. He carries a scarab shield.

What order will you proceed through the tomb?

With a sense of wonder, Bernard begins to rush forward to gaze upon history, then remembers himself and his fragility and takes up a spot at the rear of the party.

'We should strive to reach the centre and clear out any threats here first, then on our way out you can have your history lesson.' Khadi grins at Bernard, though its clear she to is interested in the engravings as she settles into middle of the pack.

Iseret takes up a place behind Esmae, her eyes wide and carefully watching every shadow. She is alert for tripwires and secret doors or panels.

A dart fires out of wall at Esmae, as they step on a pressure plate near the far doors, but it misses widely.

Iseret moves ahead of Esmae, taking up a position near the front. She is actively searching for traps [Perception +4].

With Esmae having set off the trigger, a stone stepped on, Iseret is able to find the device. It's a wide area, 5' x 10', and moves just slightly when you step on it. As it is right in front of the door, you'll need to disable it.

'And that is why I don't go at the front. ' Khadi grins as she looks at the fallen dart. 'You reckon you can handled it Iseret. Otherwise we haave to draw straws for the sacrifice.' She jokes, taking the time to look at the architecture while the trap is dealt with.

Gethean moves up so he is side by side with Iseret, as he takes in the view of the door. "Jaware you have the rear, I will cover the front as Iseret looks for anything else we should avoid stepping on...I suggest we all watch where we step or touch from now on."

Iseret kneels to disengage the trap.

The DC is 20, so you missed it by 2. You can retry checks made to disable traps if you miss the check by 4 or less, though you must be aware that you fail in order to try again. In this case, you are aware that you failed.

If you miss it by 5 or more (I.e., you roll a 6 or less in the die)the trap will go off. Because of that risk of failure, you can't take 20.

Would you like to try again?

Iseret's brow furrows in annoyance and concentration and she tries again to disable the trap.

Iseret is able to jam the trigger so the pressure plate won't fire anymore. The doors open easily.

A faded tapestry hangs on a wooden frame on the western wall of this chamber. Faded and delicate, the tapestry depicts a middle-aged man, accompanied by a woman and two children, with a small estate in the background. To either side of the tapestry are two small pedestals, upon which sit two dead and preserved animals. Stone double doors exit the chamber to the north, south, and east (which is where you enter from).

Knowledge Local and Knowledge Linguistics checks could reveal information about the tapestry.

With the trap disabled, Bernard feels comfortable inspecting the tapestry, while also sparing a look at the two stuffed animals - it was entirely possible for such things to have been mummified and enchanted to function as guardians in such a place, though it was unlikely they would be so from a pedestal.

Bernard can discern several symbols and hieroglyphs that suggest that Akhentepi’s family befell some tragedy, possibly murder or sickness, and he was left widowed.

Having some knowledge of local customs can infer that the family is probably interred somewhere else and that this tomb was prepared much later, after Akhentepi’s continued successful military career.

The animals on the pedestal are mummified cats, likely Akhentepi’s former pets. They were strangled and then mummified so they could accompany their owner to the Boneyard and his soul’s final destination.

Iseret considers what she knows of the local customs while trying to interpret the tapestry.

Gethean eyes the tapestry and the animals warily. "I would not disturb anything unless we need to, especially the cats"

Do not worry, if isn't made of gold or if doesn't contains same ancient knowledge, I don't see any reason for us to take it.

"I must admit, this insistence of killing domesticated pets and mummifying them along with their owners is one practice I simply cannot understand."

The tapestries don't actually have writing on them in the traditional sense, only implied meaning. Bernard has obtained whatever meaning is available, and Iseret also gets the part about the family likely being interred.

It is a necessity! Pharasma needs to be reminded of who one's person was to guide him to the right place. The pet is one of the most important part of a person life. With one’s pet accompanying him, it is most certain that Pharasma will remember who that person was and guide him right.

"Hmmm, I suspect Pharasma does not require the assistance, but regardless, it seems we shall find only Akhentepi interred within here - it appears his family befell some tragedy years prior to his rise to General, and were probably laid to rest more humbly elsewhere."

"I agree on both points Bernard, a god would have no need of a guide and his family is probably somewhere else. But the diseases that could be transmitted by the disturbance of the animals is something I do not wish to encounter, so please let us be cautious here. We have already found one trap, their are bound to be more."

Iseret nods sagely at Gethean's words. "My father always said that trouble comes in threes. We've seen only one."

'Well if they died apart they may not be able to find on one another in the endless queue to be judged, and it ensures they are together in death as in life.' Khadi shrugs. It was not something she often thought much on.

'So which door do we reckon is less likely to kill us immeadiatly?'

Tell that to the Pharasma's priests in Wati. I know close to nothing about religion, I'm just repeating what I was told. Now, to the matters at hand, I vote north.

"Pharasma's priests here accept this belief? Intriguing. I wonder if it is a case of belief shaping the Deity or just an acquiescence to existing local customs? I shall have to do some research on this. Regardless, I find North acceptable."

The north door opens without difficulty onto a short stairway that descends to an additional set of doors. It also opens with ease.

A brightly painted chariot sits in the center of this chamber. Beyond the chariot, a large canvas stretches between two stone columns. The skins of several animals—antelopes, great cats, and crocodiles—now faded and deteriorated with age, are tacked to this canvas. A wooden chest, lacquered white and trimmed with gold inlay, sits in the southeast corner. In each corner of the room a small stone shield is molded into the masonry at shoulder height. An open hallway leads to the east.

Well, the chest obviously must contain some value, but I think it's better to wait for the trapfinders to say it is safe to open it.

Bernard will inspect the animal skins and the chariot with great interest.

@Bernard:

The chariot is a light chariot, likely one of Akhentepi’s prized possessions from his younger days. Given the size of things, it was disassembled, brought here piece by piece, and reassembled in this chamber. Time has still taken a toll on the chariot, such that using it as a vehicle would be dubious at best. The chariot can also be considered an art piece or antiquity, but it must be disassembled, moved, and put back together (requiring a successful DC 15 Craft (carpentry) or Profession (driver) check).

The animal skins are probably trophies from Akhentepi’s hunting expeditions, and have no real value, having suffered the ravages of time.

The shield devices in each of the corners are torch holders.

I know a thing or two about charriot driving but I won't touch anything without knowing it is safe.

Jaware is certain that given enough time, he could do it, but he'd need help or some tools.

"I think it would be safe to doo so, and I think it would be a wonderful museum piece. I believe you would need some tools in order to do so, which would mean returning to Wati at some point, which should not be a problem given that we could return the stone front door to its former position to prevent any whimsical strays from entering. However I think for now we should utilise our energies to continue exploring. I will try and include a diagram in my journal to document it should we be unable to transport it - would nay of you be talented in drawing perchance?"

Iseret carefully examines the chest, being sure not to touch it.

The chest in the southeast corner is locked and trapped, such that a razor-sharp, envenomed blade slices into the hand of a would-be thief who attempts to pick it.

Iseret disables the trap, unlocks it, and opens it.

The chest is beautiful, and if undamaged, is worth 200 gp as an art piece (including the trap, which can be reset). The chest contains three potions and two books with thin, gold-plated metal sheets for pages. The first book is a brief biography of Akhentepi, and the second is a list and description of the various military campaigns conducted by the nation of Osirion between 2350 and 2450 ar.

Bernard would immediately find a way to position the assumedly heavy books so that he might read them, and would likely lose himself in doing so until one of the others interrupts him.

"Ah, fascinating, I had read some accounts of these battles, but to have a fist hand account from the Commander himself is a scintillating find!"

"I am in agreement with regards to the chariot being moved at this time, a return trip with the proper tools and possibly a carpenter to do it justice. It is a beautifully crafted item, as is the chest."

Map updated so far.

'Bedtime reading is for bedtime Bernard, any idea what the potions are. Potion of summon crowbar could be real useful right now'

To the right on the map is the last room in this side, beyond a hallway.

Four funerary masks hang on one wall of this short hallway, staring down as if in judgment at anyone standing in the corridor.

In the next room, you can see a table displaying a three-dimensional diorama occupies much of the north side of this room. Three shields with different designs are displayed upon a rack against the east wall, while various weapons hang from another rack along the south wall. Arrayed around the room are five small chests and a clay urn.

"Oh, apologies, I had gotten quite distracted. Oh, those are two potions of Cure Light Wounds and one potion of Darkvision. I should say you are quite right on the usefulness of Summon Crowbar however, Why I know bards have cantrips capable of summoning an instrument, perhaps we could collaborate on a new spell of this sort - the theory is most certainly sound."

They are two potions of cure light wounds and one potion of darkvision.

Iseret is going to closely examine, but not touch, the funerary masks.

Iseret examines the masks and can't see any signs of a booby trap attached to them. He's unable to identify them, however, they appear to be gold plated and thus likely valuable.

Jaware's viewing of the diorama reveals that it is a sculpted landscape with tiny stone and wooden statues. It depicts an ancient battle between the city of Wati and an unidentified enemy.

Bernard will attempt to cross reference the battle depicted with the ones in the gold leaf books and probably give an excited old man play by play.

"Ah yes, this battle was pivotal in the Middle Kingdoms War, where Akhentepi innovated the Sphinx formation into his attack, routing the enemy and giving Wati a massive tactical advantage…."

Well let's take the chest contains now, since it can be useful in the future. Let's move to examine the chests in the next room.

Although Jaware says this, he does not move. He is clearly waiting for someone to say it is safe.

Tabat Menes followed the others. He had spoken to several of them the night before, and had followed along behind, guarding their rear.

Now, as he has ensured their way back is clear, he sees them examining an old war chariot and a series of masks, strangely reluctant to enter the next chamber, as if lacking any clear leadership on whether to enter the room that doesn't look at all look like its a trap, no siree.

Iseret checks the entrance to the next room carefully, looking for traps.

EDIT: Hmmm. I thought that selecting for the roll to be hidden would also hide it from my eyes so that only the GM could see it. Guess not. In the future, I'll just let the GM make the roll so that I don't get an inkling of whether I succeeded or not. Unless, you would prefer otherwise, GM.

Tabat steps forward into the room with the chariot while the others peer down the narrow hall. He wields a beautifully-crafted longsword in one hand, a solid, metal shield bedecked with a large Eye of Horus in the other. His scale mail is polished carefully, as is the mask he wears, decorated to resemble the hawkish glare of the Old God himself.

He is a large man, standing nearly two meters tall and rippled with muscle. In the short amount of time you've spoken with him, you know him to be thoughtful and kind, protective and caring, proud and strong-willed.

"The way behind is safe, for now," he says to the others. "I passed signs of traps, is everyone alright?"

He gestures down the hall, "Iseret, what do your keen eyes sense?"

Khadi rolls her eyes as Jaware makes a suggestion of moving, but then does nothing. 'You could ask Iseret nicely, instead of just assuming. Sun gods know the rest of us are useless at traps. I'm here to fix the mess after they go off, not stop them. ' She teases slightly at the end as Tabat shows up. 'You missed all the fun. Scorpions, and a trap and heavy rocks. Last one was no match for me and the old man of course ' She grins a she flexes her very unimpressive arms.

Gethean nods to Tabet when he reports that the way behind is clear and turns to head that way now that the Paladin has arrived. "Glad you could join us, did you bring the crowbar you and I discussed? We could have used it on more than one occasion already. As you are the better armored fighter- I will bring up the rear with Jaware as a relay between myself and the front of the company."

Recall...

A table displaying a three-dimensional diorama occupies much of the north side of this room. Three shields with different designs are displayed upon a rack against the east wall, while various weapons hang from another rack along the south wall. Arrayed around the room are five small chests and a clay urn.

With a sculpted landscape and tiny stone and wooden statues, the diorama depicts an ancient battle between the city of Wati and an unidentified enemy. The rack to the east proudly displays three shields. The shield on the right is a light wooden shield identical to the shields carried by the soldiers in the diorama. It bears Ancient Osiriani hieroglyphs that spell the name "Akhentepi," marking those soldiers as under the command of Akhentepi. The light wooden shield on the left does not appear to be Osirian in origin, and a PC who makes a successful DC 12 Knowledge (geography) check can determine that it is similar in style to those used by (REDACTED). The center shield is unusual in that it is a light steel shield shaped like a scarab; it matches the one borne by Akhentepi in the engravings on the doors in earlier sections. The rack on the south wall holds a composite shortbow, a khopesh, and a spear—all of which belonged to Akhentepi.

As you get closer, three of the tiny dolls in the diorama sorting too life crawl down the table leg and attack!

Initiative checks please. If you beat the creatures you may act immediately in whatever order you post.

Tabat reaches back and pats his backpack. "I sure did," he replies to Gethean, "though I would hardly imagine delving into such a place without one." He offers a sly smile as they continue into the next room.

He looks around in awe, impressed by the weapons and shields on the walls. "Akhentepi truly was a great warrior," he says.

Movement catches his eye as the small figures of the nearby diorama come to life and attack them. He reels, "What manner of devilry is this!?" and draws his sword.

Bernard is brought out of his historicism as the small creatures attack.

As soon as he sees them, Bernard immediately recalls seeing these in a book somewhere.

"Ah , I recall reading about these. I understand that fire is most effective against them"Wanting to preserve his spells against such small enemies, Bernard would then attempt to hit one with his crossbow.

Jaware attacks one of the Dolls using Ranged Spell Combat to shoot a Arrow (with deadly aim) and cast acid splash against it.

Iseret reacts immediately, drawing her shortsword and attacking the nearest figure.

Khadi immeadiatly goes to look at the diorama as they enter the room, studying it, at first unaware of the moving soldiers.

Bernard suspects that:
Bernard's crossbow misses, skidding along the floor and bouncing off a wall.

Still need initiative rolls from Tabat and Gethean.

Order
25 Bernard
...(We are here)
21 Dolls
15 Jaware
14 Khadi
11 Iseret
?? TBD: Tabat and Gethean
?? Esmae

Tabat lashes forward, drawing his longsword in a seamless motion, and slashes at the nearest of the diminutive figures.

Gethean hears the commotion and turns to see the dolls? scurrying down the table and attacking, he scrambles to place himself between the squishy two of the party and the dolls before he swings.

Gethean and Tabat both rush in, flanking the tiny creatures and while Tabat hits, his blade only does 1 damage (Hardness 5). Gethean can't quite hit the tiny dolls, and his blade sparks off the stone floor.

The dolls retaliate, targeting their two melee attackers... at Tabat is hit by the improbably strong creature for 2 hit points damage.

Jaware's longbow shots both miss, and Iseret connects with a blow, but does no damage to the hard creature.

Order
30 Gethean
25 Bernard
22 Tabat
21 Dolls
15 Jaware
...(We are here)
14 Khadi
11 Iseret
?? Esmae[/quote]

Tabat lets out a grunt of frustration as the doll pricks him, drawing blood. He kicks it off him and focuses instead on the doll that attacked Gethean, stepping forward and putting all his might into an overhead hack into the creature.

'Oh Osiris' The sudden sounds of the others hitting, or attempting to hit the statues gets Khadi;s attention as she scrabbles for her crossbow andd fires a shot at the one harassing Tabat.

"I dont like fighting little things, sometime I forget to aim lower!" Gethean swings at the doll again and almost decapitates it.

Combat is over.

Khadi, trying not to shoot her companions in their collective or individual butts, misses any target.

Gethean's blade destroys one of the dolls, followed quickly by Tabat's crushing blow destroying the other.

Tabat looks around, making sure nothing else appears to be moving that shouldn't be, then straightens himself before sheathing his sword. He kicks at one of the lifeless dolls and grunts, "Huh. Not very effective guardians." He walk around to examine the items in the room, stopping at the scarab-shaped shield to look at it closely. "I think I saw a mural of the departed King taking this same shield to battle."

Most of the arms and armor on the racks are mundane items, but Akhentepi’s khopesh and spear are both masterwork weapons. The composite shortbow is still serviceable, but its string has deteriorated, and must be replaced before the weapon can be used. The scarab-shaped steel shield is magic.

The chests are of good craftsmanship but less ornate than the one found in area A6. None of the chests are locked or trapped, but each has been sealed with wax. They contain a sack with a 100 gp and 42 sp, and several scroll tubes holding papyrus records, private memos, expense ledgers, speeches, and private correspondence. Among the papers are discussions regarding the unfinished tomb of Akhentepi’s mistress. There is little else of interest in the papers, but to a collector or Osirionologist, these documents are worth 250 gp total if undamaged. The clay urn is also sealed with wax and contains nard, an expensive, oily perfume, worth 75 gp.

Hearing that the room appears to be otherwise trap-free and safe, Tabat remarks. "Such wonders," he says, eyes wide under his mask, "It delights that we shall bring such wonders to again see the light of the sun, and allow the glory of the old days to be known again. Horus approves." He reaches up and lifts the scarab shield from its bracket, "As would, I think, Akhentepi, to see his tools of war being used to cleanse these lands of evil."

He looks to the others. "I will bear this shield, if no one else will claim it. It remains strong, despite its age." He holds it aloft, inspecting it more closely.

"If you wouldn’t mind Tabat, I should like to take a look at it, in case it has other capabilities. Then I should like to make some notes on all this for when we report back to the Pharasmins."

Bernard is only able to tell that the shield's magic has an aura of conjuration magic.

Iseret searches the walls of the room for secret passages, such as are often found in old tombs.

Gethean resumes his position at the back of the group with eyes and ears open.

Iseret searches the walls of the room thoroughly, but doesn't find any hidden doors or secret cubbyholes.

"Tabat, that shield has an aura of Conjuration magic about it, though I do not yet know to what purpose. I will try again another time when we are less pressed."

"Conjuration?" Tabat says quizzically, "Now that is intriguing. Thank you, Bernard."

He props the shield he arrived with against the wall. "Horus will guide and watch over the dead now," he says respectfully before testing the weight of the new shield. It felt good - he felt like he could sense the magic pulsing through the object, though he knew he was probably imagining it because of what Bernard told him.

He then busies himself with helping the others to distribute the load of the other artifacts and treasure so they can remove it from the tomb.

You move south past the corridor that leads back to the surface, and through the southern doors.

A massive mirror stretches across the southern wall of this chamber, flanked by two statues. The statue to the east depicts a tall, gaunt woman in a flowing, hooded gown, holding an hourglass. The figure to the west is that of a jackal-headed man carrying a scepter or staff in his hand. Stone double doors, standing slightly ajar, lead to the east and west. A third set of double doors exits the room to the north. Torch holders sculpted in the shape of bird skulls are built in each corner, and a thin layer of dust covers every surface.

Iseret studies the gaunt female statue for a moment. "Pharasma, I would guess?" She looks to Bernard for confirmation. "I have no idea who the other fellow is."

Tabat follows closely in behind Iseret, taking in the room's features. "That is Anubis, one of the Old Gods, a God of death," he says, "a fitting consort to Pharasma."

He moves forward into the room but remains a healthy distance back and watching carefully for any sign of wires or pressure plates that might signify a trap. Once he believes it is safe to do so, he will approach and inspect the statue of the jackal-headed one.

The two statues have been correctly identified.

After inspecting the statue of Anubis more closely, Tabat will move to carefully inspect the bird-skull torch holders more closely.