[Gameplay] 2. The House of Pentheru

Iseret takes a deep breath and tries to disarm the trap.

The poison dart is removed, and it takes Iseret a while to then unlock it.

The chest contains 20 small gold ingots, each bearing a seal, as an old hornets nest. Jaware senses that the magic seems to emanate from within the nest.

Let me see this thing?

Jaware pokes the hornet nest with his rapier, while trying to identify the aura.

He senses faint enchantment and abjuration magic.

Also, if anyone wants to identify the seals on the ingots, that would be Knowledge History or Nobility.

The hornets' nests are both long dead and not home to any vermin.

Iseret examines the seals on the ingots.

Iseret is able to recognize and identify the seal as that of the Keleshite sultan who governed Osirion at the time of the Plague of Madness, 2,215 years ago. Each ingot is worth 25 gp.

Whatever magic comes from within the hornets' nest that was in the chest. Do you want to tear it open to look?

Jaware will use the rapier to tear the hornet's nest open.

"Well look at that," Tabat says, giving out a low whistle of approval, "that's a rich find. Looks really old, too."

Inside, Jaware finds a headband. The insects must have used it to help build their nest. It's a taut black band, clipped with a black metal skull, of the sort that can be attached on the outside of a hat (or other head slot item) or can be worn as a normal headband.

Let's try to identify this thing.

Jaware will thoroughly analýze the object.

Jaware puts on his voice, taking the opportunity to demonstrate his knowledge. After all, when Bernard was around, he was always eclipsed by the professor's vast wisdom.

So, it is an magic item to make the wearer more intimidating. In addition, it increases the effect of spells that cause fear. Finally, there is a minor magical effect that prevents your helmet or hat from falling off your head due to wind or some other weather event. It's not of much use to me. If no one wants to, I propose to sell it when we leave.

"Intriguing contraption," Tabat says, "but I agree. I do not need rely on fear to strike at the hearts of my enemies. Are we ready to press on?" he asks.

If nobody stops him from doing so, Tabat heads back out the door they came through and maneuvers to the next closest door, ready to open it once Iseret finds it safe.

The walls of this room are decorated with a scenic vista of a river valley running through a desert, resplendent with verdant life and greenery near the shores. Only a few pieces of lacquered furniture remain in the chamber. A faint, musty odor of decomposed wood and fabric lingers in the air. A set of doors stands in the western wall.

The body of a human man lies on its back in the small alcove to the east. Unlike most of the remains in the house, the body is only a year old, and its flesh is in a state of advanced decomposition. The head is missing.