[Gameplay] 4. The Canny Jackal

These zombies are unaware of your approaching. Go ahead and act before them.

Seeing their foes unaware, Iseret decides to capitalize on that and move to the nearest zombie, striking with her shortsword.

It was instinct by now. A touch of the scarab, a prayer, then a wash of energy.

Iseret darts in and pierces one through the brain killing it.

Khadi's commanding power over the undead slays four more leaving only one.

Tabat and Jaware drop it quickly.

When you examine the dead, partially eaten wagon driver that the zombies are gearing in, Iseret finds that the wagon’s driver died with his payment of 50 gp still in his belt pouch. In addition, he wears a crude silver chain worth 50 gp wrapped around his left wrist.

Tabat sheathes his spear and helps check on the wagon driver. "I would not rob this man's corpse," he says after a moment, "but if we leave his valuables here, surely someone will. I will make an offering, when things are right in the city, to the temple and pray this man finds rest in the afterlife."

Jaware points at the wagon. "There is a hidden compartment there, perhaps. The wood is too thick. Iseret, what do your eyes see?"

Having it pointed out, Iseret does see a small place for a secret compartment under the drivers seat.

He also takes the silver chain. "This is familiar. It's a gang insignia, I'm sure of it."

'A smuggler of some sort? Still I would not wish this on anyone. Khepri watch over him, and do not let him join the ranks of his killers, Nor any of these others.' She offers a prayer over him and the wagon.

'Do you think he was a victim of circumstance, or somehow had a part in it?' She as as she looks in the compartment. [b]'We should show it to the temple. [/b[

Tabat looks over the secret compartment more directly, checking to see if there are any secret panels inside that, or anything inside the compartment in general. "Hard to say, Khadi. We should keep this gang insignia in mind as we continue our investigation, should we run into it again."

You're able to easily open the compartment, and inside you find a bunch of jewelry, and a mummified human hand on a simple twine thong - the hand radiates magic.

"What do you make of this, Jaware?" Tabat asks, taking the hand from the stash and handing it towards the mage. "Clearly this man was more than a simple merchant." He takes the other goods and moves them into his possession, intent on making sure the funds go to a better cause than this supposed gang member may have devoted them.

Jaware sets his bow down and examines the hand. He turns it over and views it with his Detect Magic cantrip active.

"Um, well, yeah, I don't know. I'll have to spend more time later."

'Shall we keep heading to the temple? Unless we hear any shout for help?

Tabat nods curtly and starts heading toward the temple.

Iseret follows Tabat, falling in quickly behind the massive warrior.

You make it to the temple. You can hear the howls of rotting lungs and screams off and on in the distance, and at least two fires raging. Something has happened, and from what you've seen, it involves necromancy. The zombies, the thief hands, and the mummy, all awakened on the same night, and that's just in your area. It's clear that the entire city is involved in this chaos.

The Grand Mausoleum is growing a small crowd.

A high priest recognizes you from the lottery, and beckons you up the stairs. "You're the ... Destined Delvers, was it? Please, tell me what you know. The city is on the verge of panic, and collapse!"

Tabat ascends the stairs and kneels before the high priest before standing again. "Your holiness. Yes, we go by that name, but we know precious little - only that we have witnessed several animated corpses and body parts in the last hour. We've had to dispatch them to get here. We were hoping you might have some idea yourself. What can we do to help?"

'Including a mummy.' Khadi gives a worried look to the priest. 'So not all of them are weak either. We hoped you might know more of the situation, or at least best know where needs more assistance' As she speaks she plays with the symbol around her neck. Thos was sounding worse by the minute.

Sebti the Crocodile, the high priestess, bids you stand and walk with her. "We know little, only that a necromantic pulse has occurred somewhere within Wati. The dead have risen in unknown numbers and the people are bound to panic. If you want to do some good, assist the soldiers in quelling the dead and laying them back to rest, and be gentle with the residents of Wati. Oh, my colleague, Ptemenib was also at the Canny Jackal you may have seen him, but he has not yet returned. If you see him, please convey my concern for his well being."

Iseret sighs. Fighting the living dead was to be expected in this instance, but she had not been prepared for such numbers or variety. They would take the mission, of course, that wasn't in question. But she would feel better with some supplies. "Is there any chance that we could get some holy water?" she asks Sebti.