[Gameplay] 2. The House of Pentheru

Tabat stands, rubbing his own head as feeling returns to his body. "You don't know who the Ruby Prince is?" he asks astounded, "Did you hit your head?" It dawns on Tabat that Drak'wa is likely being rhetorical and dismissive of the Pharoah who's ruled the lands of Osirion the last thirty or so years.

"Let's get all the artifacts and such down to the front gate before he head into the tomb?" he suggests.

He will help carry things as needed, secure them, then will lead everyone through to the entrance of the tomb in the western courtyard.

"I agree with Tabat. Let's get the artifacts to a safe place prior to heading further into danger."

Skarab cleans his spearhead in the sand, then wipes it off with the bottom skirt of his clothing prior to placing it back in its holder.

He then gathers his light crossbow, cleans it out, and loads it, ready for another enemy lurking to hurt him or his companions.

"of course i know who the Ruby Prince is, but WHO is he to us? These items belong to the people not to boost the princes pockets. I am of a lineage of a great antiquities smuggler. No onr will know or find the items even if we are searched. That is unless we have someone who talks to much among us." Drak'wa is dead serious.

'This lottery is to boost everyone's pockets not just the princes. We and others will be selling these in town. So they will go to mostly locals. Even the dealers travelling here will be buying lodging, food here. The money will bleed back into Wati, and Osirion. I also intend to use the money we gain from these to pay back my fathers, and the community who raised me. If we smuggle it off to some random building in another country for others to ooh and ahh over their interpretation of our culture with no pay, then I cannot do that.'

"The Museum is right here in Osirion. But I see your point. I disagree with it. But the struggle of one far outweighs the heindsight of the glory od the whole. My apologies. "Drak'wa hands over the artifact.

"The museum knows the rules of the lottery. I'm certain they will gladly purchase many of these objects. I'm of the same mind, Drak'wa - many of these relics of the past deserve to be in a museum, or at least taken good care of to preserve their value on our glorious past. We'll check with the museum once we're back in the city," Tabat offers, a smile in his voice. He puts down the last of the objects near the gate and nods to the others. "We ready to delve into the unknown once more?"

"Ready," Iseret says. She understood Drak'wa's objections, having similar feelings herself, but she also knew the rules of their being allowed to explore the necropolis.

Archibald felt the need to interject given the sensitive and interesting nature of the conversation. "Now, putting these relics into a museum is necessary, albeit not the optimal way to spread their recognition. How many people outside Osirian come to museums and witness these relics? That is why I sketch and catalogue them, the book I will author will enable these relics to be witnessed in every corner of Golarion!" he remarks excitedly. "One thing I do not understand though. If the locals are buying these relics, then money is not pouring into the local economy. It is actually flowing out to foreigners such as us. If we spend the money here, it will only even itself out. For the economy to prosper, it must be foreigners who are bringing in fresh gold to purchase the relics. I wonder what is the Ruby Prince's long term plan here?"

'Sorry I.. Wasn't thinking there would be one in the city... As Tabat said I am happy to offer stuff to them first. Anyone who would treat the item with respect would be my preference for getting them... Also I have to admit Archibald economics is not my strong point I just know that giving these away for free defeats the reason these tombs were opened in the first place. If it had to be done, we may as wel make sure it is worth it to Wati, yes? ' She gives a grin trying to break any remaining tension.

' Anyway, there is a tomb with our name on it isn't there? '

Archibald seemed to make sense, but then many of these concepts were beyond maybe his scope of understanding.

"Indeed," Tabat says with a firm nod at Khadi. "Here it is," he points to the doors standing at the north end of the western courtyard. He approaches and lets others clear it of traps before placing his hands upon the doors and offering a firm shove to push them open.

The Crypt...

A rectangular stone building sits in the northwest corner of the estate. At each corner stand columns carved to resemble men and women with their arms crossed over their chests. A set of stone doors stands in the southern face of the building, carved with bas-relief faces of two men. Hieroglyphs are carved into the doors just beneath the faces. The faces on the doors are of Pentheru the Elder and Pentheru the Younger and match the faces on the statues outside the property. Two of the building’s four columns also depict the two men. The other two columns depict women: the wives of father and son. The Ancient Osiriani hieroglyphs identify the building as the "crypt of the House of Pentheru" and warn, "May defilers be cursed by the gods until their day of judgment." The crypt’s stone doors are heavy, but open easily. Inside, a wide stairway descends 15 feet to ...

... a stone altar sits upon a raised stone platform in the center of this square room. Caryatid columns carved in the likenesses of male and female figures with their arms crossed over their chests and khopeshes or ankhs in their hands stand at each corner of the platform. Empty torch holders are built in all four of the room’s corners. Two stairways exit the room— one climbs to the south (the entrance you came down), while the other descends from this chamber to the north.

This room is a shrine to Pharasma, where the family could come to pray for their deceased loved ones. The goddess’s spiral symbol is carved into the top of the altar, recognizable easily. The shrine has seen much in the way of violence, however.

"Let me check for traps or anything that could harm us."

As you move into the room to examine it, a wrapped figure stands up from behind the altar. Shambling like the undead, it stands and moves toward you.

Archibald and Tabat lose initiative, Khadi ties (ties go to the player in my thinking).

So 1) Drak'wa, Iseret, Jaware, Khadi, and Skarab are all up in whatever order you post. 2) Followed by the creature, then 3) Archibald and Tabat.

Iseret who, as a child, heard stories of the walking dead mummies, gives the creature a wide berth as she circles around behind it. Studying her foe for a moment, she chooses her instant to strike when it is most effective, stabbing with her short sword.

Khadii's hand flies to her amulet, unleashing her familiar blast of energy on reflex. Only as the wave fades away does she properly look at the creature to confirm it is what it appears to be.

Iseret his the creature, does a little damage, but her weapon sticks, but she yanks it free (successful on Reflex save).

Khadi's channeling fails to do anything. Another fake undead, this is a planar creature.

Drak'wa sneaks up on the the creature and slashes with his shortsword.