Episode 1: The Salvaged Job

As the party passes by the shattered door, the creature pauses. It looks into the chamber and stares at the open sarcophagus, empty eye sockets lingering upon the desiccated and nude corpse that stands there.

Another series of modulated wheezing as the creature finds some humor somewhere. "Simply marvelous," it says, seemingly to itself, and resumes its slow shuffling walk to follow Coda.

The party takes the stairs to the upper level and arrives at the fork. The western tunnel leads to the room that once contained a large overweight zombie, while the northern passage leads to the series of smaller rooms that the party had previously explored.Map

"They lack the intelligence," is the creature's reply.

You all arrive at the room with a carpet of bones, once again scattered across the area thanks to your successful battle against the skeletons. Everything appears as you've left it.

The door to the north enters into the room with a pile of rotted corpses, once zombies. The room to the south still has the robed skeleton whose book and key were recovered by Kalis. The door to the west leads to a hallway.

The portcullis is closed.

The creature follows Coda, slowly makings its way into the sarcophagus and the carpet of books. When it nears the headless skeleton, the creature chuckles.

"Never knew her," replies the creature, obliquely.

Maenor sees the corners of the creature's mouth stretch further into a rictus grin. "I was here when she was interred," it says neutrally, almost matter-of-fact, and something about its tone is unsettling.

You all enter the very first chamber of the sepulcher. You step over the skeletons and pieces of shattered armor on the floor, now surrounded by the carvings of eyes.

"You misunderstand, Prince of the Shifting Sands," hisses the creature as it weaves through the minor obstacles. "I was here when she was interred, but I did not know who she was when she was alive. And she was not much of a conversationalist when dead."

The creature looks between Kalis and Maenor. "Two librarians," it mutters to itself, though its black pupilless eyes linger on Maenor's warrior-like equipment. "Fascinating."