Episode 22: Why Won't You Die
Vivian Ravenclaw, Jalentriel Ahmaquissar, Rin Darastix, Nikylik Hensu and Ra Hotep sat their room this evening putting together pieces of the events of the past few days. The five know that they are being used by someone, more than likely Ihat Quaa, but the ultimate plan of the new Nomarch is still a puzzle. Jalentriel was quick to point out that time is not a commodity that the five had a lot of, as he is eager to get back to his daughter and use the ruby heart to revive her of her deep coma. And to do that, the five must travel to Lanai, the Elven Land.
They commented how it has been some days since they have seen Rykio or Brando’on, whom both left a couple of days ago to track down John Swift. Among news from the town, the Nomarch had awakened from his coma, and fired most of his personal guard. He also stepped down from his position and appointed Ihat Quaa permanent Nomarch.
The five put together the pieces of the puzzles they had. The sword that they suspected they needed was stolen last night by men adorned to look like darkened elves. They assaulted Tarus Quaa’s estate and uncovered a diary and a detailed map to the Quaa tomb, which he notes could possess an entrance to the Yuan-ti Temple. The Yuan-ti were rumored to have hoards of the diamond ore needed to fend off the poison of the deadly oceans of Chrystaria. They would go to the tombs before day break the next morning. As the party finalized their plans, they received a knock at the door.
Ra-Hotep answered, opening the door to a beautiful tanned woman and a large Forged made of a substance unusual for the creatures. A puzzled Ra-Hotep wanted to know what business did the church have with the Warrior Witchhunters.
“Much”, said the woman.
Ra-Hotep looked at his comrades whom hesitantly gave them the signal to let the two in.
The woman explained that she was Tsesnsisis Alexandra, she is not a priest of Quarta Set but of one of the other Temple Cities. She was a former priest, high priest, in Quarta Set, but was unusually transferred a couple years ago. She came to Quarta Set to see about her dear friend Paula Searse.
The party seemed indifferent to the woman’s information. Only Jalentriel was friendly as the rest of the party whispered and questioned the woman’s intentions. She admitted that it is odd, but she does not believe she can trust anyone but the Forged, a former longtime ally and bodyguard of the Nomarch whom was abruptly fired, with the other personal guard. She said that she used scrying to find out that Paula Searse has either been turned into some type of monster or replaced by a Yuan-ti. She told them that she suspects Ihat Quaa to be a major culprit in the plot, but without proof she is lost.
The various party members questioned her motives repeatedly, asking why she did not go to the church for help. She told them she was not sure how far the deception went and that the events of recent may be connected to why she was replaced to begin. The Forged, whom called himself Syxen, agreed, admitting grief for his friend. Rahotep recognized the Forged as the one whom survived the initial kidnapping of the Nomarch’s daughter Alexandra, for which he quipped. Syxen gave a threatening evil eye more so it seemed out of anger for his own failure than Rahotep’s comment.
Vivian questioned how they could help, being exceptionally dismissive to the priestess. Alexandra asked that she be included with any knowledge of the Yuan-ti that they might have. Ra-Hotep believed her sincerity and pleaded for her case. The remaining party members agreed that additional help maybe needed. They informed the priestess of their dealings so far with the Yuan-ti and that they suspect that it has something to do with the temple. However, they stood firm to tell her that they were doing it only for the riches the temple may produce and not to save a city they could care little for. Alexandra dismissed the behavior as typical Mercenary mentality. However, it was slipped accidentally by Vivian that their find could help them get to the Elven Kingdom, for which Alexandra appeared to raise an eye.
Jalentriel dismissed the comment as fatigue and she meant Nique. The Forged and Priestess were dismissed quickly and the five remaining members planned for the next day, going out to buy last minute supplies and secure wagons to haul back the diamond ore. They also decided that Rahotep would stay behind to give the impression that the party was still about town.
Syxen and Alexandra were staying at an in near the Airport district, hardly accommodations for a priestess of her stature, but her presence in the city was no longer welcome. Before going home, Alexandra visited the temple, and received access to a series of books only meant to be read by priests of her standards. She came across several historical texts that discussed the Yuan-ti civilization in Quarta Set. She found several important tads of information including the knowledge that the Yuan-ti were in Quarta Set before it was settled, and that the Yuan-ti temple possessed an object that was of significant value to Chrystaria. It even mentioned that the reason the temple was buried by a force of paladins 500 years ago and not destroyed was because the temple could not be. She would share this information with her party the next morning, despite their lack of willing to share information with her.
The next morning, the six met on the outskirts of the city complete with supplies and a wagon. Jalentriel used a charm spell to charm the guards and make sure they did not remember seeing them that day. Vivian navigated the party to the tomb, however, her poor skills caused the party to arrive their 12 hours after they left out, making their arrival shortly after the sunset. They found themselves at a small opening in the forest with several tombs located a few hundred yards apart. They made an attempt to open the tomb door but failed. Alexandra, used her divine magic to speak with one of the snakes, to which warned her and her friends to go back. It then borrowed into the ground. The grass around the party began to move as hundreds of snakes raised their heads above the grass and borrowed into the ground at once.
“I guess we lost the element of surprise,” quipped Jalentriel.
The Quaa tomb was guarded with a powerful arcane lock, which was easily dispelled by Alexandra. Inside of the tomb was 12 non-descriptive crypts. The dust in the room was extremely thick. Syxen was first to attempt to remove the lid from one of the sarcophagi but could not budge. The remaining members searched the tomb but could not find much of anything else. After a half hour of searching, Jalentriel told the others to get behind him, he pulled his flute out and began a silent song, a slight wind came out of the flute which grew in intensity until it became a great wind. The wind blew the dust off of the majority of the sarchophagi. Most of the sarcophagi still had a small degree of dust on them, however, there was one in particular that was completely clean. Syxen braced himself against a nearby sarcophagi and pushed the sarcophagi away from where it was placed, revealing a large whole in the floor. Fearlessly he jumped down, nearly smashing himself to bits. Alexandra turned herself into a snake and slithered down the whole, Jalentriel attempted to use his tumble skills to scale down but fell as well. Vivian used a fly spell to fly down.
They found themselves a hundred feet below the original tomb, in what appeared to be a stone structure. The six adventures made there way half way down the 50 ft tunnel before them before Jalentriel used one if his windup toys to check for traps ahead of him. It reached the wall and was smashed by a giant headless mummified dog. The dog, charged for the party attacking them with fierce claws and bites. Another followed it. Behind them, they could hear a desperate moaning that caused Jalentriel to run in fear. The party made quick work of the dogs. As they began to loot, the beings quickly regained life. Jalentriel was more aware this time taking part in the combat and destroying the dogs again, this time burning the bandages that were left behind. They began to proceed on, believing they had dealt the final blow, but again, the dogs appeared again and the howling continued.
Syxen and Alexandra noticed that the howling was coming from deeper inside of this tomb. Vivian, Jalentriel, Nikylik and Rin chose to hold off the dogs, while Syxen and Alexandra looked for the source of the howling. Vivian used her brash acid and breath weapons to kill the beasts as the priestess and the Forge went off to find the howling. Jalentriel also joined in the action using mind effects and another powerful magic wind attack to blow the two dogs further down the tunnel and away from them.
In the mean time, Syxen and Alexandra located a room sealed by a large slab of stone at the end of one of the tunnels. As they searched, Syxen received several massive headaches seemingly crushing his head.
Syxen removed the slab to the small room and went inside. The howling was coming from a statue in the room. Also in the room was a Sarcophagi and Canopic Jars. Syxen began to destroy the statue and found two maimed and mummified dog heads inside howling at him. This time the howling seemed to directly effect him and Alexandria. He destroyed one. Alexandria looked in the Canopic Jar and found a large brain inside. She attempted to break it, but was struck by a massive headache. Noticing she was in trouble, the large Forged and his sense of protection leapt into action, unfortunately, he tripped over the sarcophagi and crushed the glass jar, and nearly killed Alexandra in the process. The dogs Jalentriel was keeping at bay evaporated into the other nothingness of the crypt. The party caught up with each other as Alexandra picked up a ring and necklace she found in the rummage of the room. When Syxen tipped over the Sarcophagi, the decaying body of a child came out.
What lies ahead in this crypt and does it lead to the Yuan-ti Temple?
What is the artifact the sacred texts say were hiding in the Yuan-ti Temple?
Will there be enough Diamond Ore for a ship?
What is Ihat Quaa's ultimate goals for the party?
Toon in next time!!!
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