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Post by venger on Oct 27, 2014 15:09:47 GMT -5
Our heroes travel through the night, the desert landscape becoming a blur of rock and sand as the Falcon of Horus bends time and space to deliver them to their destination.
To the west, the land rises in step-like tiers and massive hills of stone. The elevations tend to have precipitous sides, flattish tops and then rise again. Here and there, sand-weathered peaks are thrust skyward, crags jut and ravines cut deep into old rock.
10 miles from the village of Aartuat, a shoulder protrudes from the high rock of wall, masking the entrance to the Gorge of Osiris. About a half a mile distant, to the north, juts a similar arm of rock. The level ground narrows between these two elevations, funneling down to a quarter mile width in as little distance, then to only a bowshot wide as the cliffs rise to either hand. The rest is a gloomy canyon indeed. There is, however, something more ominous and demanding than the gorge proper. There, stoppering the mouth of the place, is a square fortress; the great tower through which entrants must pass to gain the Temple of Osiris and the Necropolis beyond.
Following the ridge-line to the south, it is a short distance to the bandits' lair, where waits the Ship of Earth & Sea. Everyone is relieved to find the ship intact, right where they had left it. But that relief is short-lived when our heroes notice the circle of protective salt around the ship has been broken, the Ship's hold ransacked and Nordel, Haidar and Ahmed are nowhere to be found!
The sun rises on day 359...
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Post by Ginger on Oct 27, 2014 16:21:09 GMT -5
We'll want as full an inventory of what was taken as we can get. I think Gronk can do ranger-like tracking outdoors as a barbarian, so if he can figure out if Nordel and Haidar fled or were teleported away, that would be useful.
Otherwise, we should track down the wizard who stole our stuff and maybe kidnapped or killed our comrades. He hopefully doesn't know that we've identified him as living on the lake.
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Post by venger on Oct 27, 2014 18:31:55 GMT -5
We'll want as full an inventory of what was taken as we can get. The Ship itself is undamaged, but the bunks in the berth are all overturned, the ship stores all spoiled. There's vile demon spew all over the galley and ship's mess. Anything detecting as magical or of obvious monetary value is gone. Everything else, smashed or fireballed. 1drv.ms/1zdY4XM Haidar, Nordel and Ahmed escaped to Aartuat with all the spellbooks, magic items and treasure they could carry I think Gronk can do ranger-like tracking outdoors as a barbarian, so if he can figure out if Nordel and Haidar fled or were teleported away, that would be useful. Otherwise, we should track down the wizard who stole our stuff and maybe kidnapped or killed our comrades. There are varied tracks, all recent. Horses rode from the direction of the Gorge and then back. Other horses rode south, from the cave toward Aartuat. Men in Aegyptian-style footwear entered and exited the cave, more encumbered than when they came in. Some large inhuman tracks near the Ship disappear and reappear in odd fashion. He hopefully doesn't know that we've identified him as living on the lake. Mill pond. |
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Post by Bolo on Oct 27, 2014 21:50:10 GMT -5
The spoilered bit is awesome. I salute you. |
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Post by Wolfgar on Oct 28, 2014 8:23:30 GMT -5
I assume we buried Basmadoos in Istantar. We will keep the broken reliquary and statue of Ingrid. The other burnt, broken and putrid stuff we will discard.
The clerics will create food and water for the party and freed men and women.
We will take the Ship back towards Aartuat. We will stop outside of the town. People can sleep on the Ship as needed.
Is there anything else the Falcon of Horus can do for us? You mentioned healing. How about breaking the curse of Arawn? Or increasing all our stats to 19 while we take revenge for the actions of the Settites (cf. DDG p. 47)? Can he locate our missing party members or items? Can he provide any more information about the forces of Set?
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Post by venger on Oct 28, 2014 13:24:21 GMT -5
We will take the Ship back towards Aartuat. We will stop outside of the town. People can sleep on the Ship as needed. The Village of Aartuat is a welcome sight to all. Tall palms and a variety of lower vegetation glow with lush verdancy. There is water ahead and thick-walled buildings to keep out the chill of the desert night and the heat of the day's blazing sun. Is there anything else the Falcon of Horus can do for us? Of course. He isn't merely a "simple bird capable of a few tricks, or a semi-intelligent creature that communicates telepathically"- he is in fact a "fully sentient immortal proxy of Horus that speaks the PCs’ language and helps them in any way it can." Yes, he will heal everyone to full with Cure Light and Cure Serious Wounds as needed. How about breaking the curse of Arawn? No, he would refer the cursed to his son Khebsenef, who protects the souls of those passing into the Underworld. Or a Temple or holy site possessing an artifact/relic. There are many in Aegypt. The nearest being the Pool of Hapy. Or increasing all our stats to 19 while we take revenge for the actions of the Settites (cf. DDG p. 47)? Sure, he thought you'd never ask. Any "good" person amongst you seeking "righteous revenge" can so benefit. (it's pg. 52 in my book.) Can he locate our missing party members or items? Indirectly. The Falcon of Horus can lead the party to those upon whom they would take vengeance. In this case, Setem-nefer, the evil priest of Set who tricked the party into the Osirium underworld beneath the Temple of Osiris and his minion Shenau, the demonurgist-wizard, who attacked the Ship of Earth & Sea. Can he provide any more information about the forces of Set? While the party has triumphed over the forces of Set and cast down their mountain stronghold, "what has occurred is merely the severing of one of the heads of the malign hydra of wickedness. And even though two others might not spring forth in its place, those that remain will be as deadly and potent, as determined as before." The spirit-vulture, or khu, of Pneusset is free to communicate with and assist his various servants of evil in the region, and he will stop at nothing to obtain the soul-objects he requires to achieve Unmortality. Also legion of chromatic dragons, demons, devils and minions of Set waits on the upper gloom of the Duat to be unleashed on Aegypt. |
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Post by Wolfgar on Oct 28, 2014 13:52:22 GMT -5
Or a Temple or holy site possessing an artifact/relic. There are many in Aegypt. The nearest being the Pool of Hapy. Tell me more about the Pool of Hapy. How far away is it? What do you need to do to benefit from its properties? Sure, he thought you'd never ask. Any "good" person amongst you seeking "righteous revenge" can so benefit. (it's pg. 52 in my book.) I think the appropriate thing to say here is SHAZAM! Indirectly. The Falcon of Horus can lead the party to those upon whom they would take vengeance. In this case, Setem-nefer, the evil priest of Set who tricked the party into the Osirium underworld beneath the Temple of Osiris and his minion Shenau, the demonurgist-wizard, who attacked the Ship of Earth & Sea. We should wait to hear from Colby and Haddiq before we make any further plans. Also legion of chromatic dragons, demons, devils and minions of Set waits on the upper gloom of the Duat to be unleashed on Aegypt. Been there. Seen that. |
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Post by venger on Oct 29, 2014 14:36:58 GMT -5
Tell me more about the Pool of Hapy. The module prefaces this section with the following - "DM’S NOTES
This place is not likely to be the scene of sustained activity." Which makes me wonder why it is so well-described... The folk of the village have taken to calling the well worn track beside the stream running from the south, the “Hapy Path.” This is for Hapy, of course, the god of the River, and thus also for all waters of a lesser sort, precious and life giving in this desert land. For the same reason, the large pond to the south from which the stream emanates bears the name, the “Pool of Hapy.” The watercourse is from 3 to 8 feet deep and 7 to 12 feet wide as it flows to form the millpond. Note that it is already losing a fair amount of its volume because of irrigation channels and evaporation by the time it exits the dell to flow into the open where Aartuat is sited. Although measurable rain falls here only about 15 to 20 times annually, this precipitation - along with night dew, ground water seepage, the pools and streams, and irrigation enables the villagers to live well. There are palms and other trees and bushes bearing fruit. Flowers grow, and abundant vegetable crops are watered, tended with care in this small valley. Scrub grows up the gently sloping hillsides to the east and west, for the only abrupt and rocky rise is directly to the south, from whence the freshest of water comes forth from the cave that it has carved there. Game animals come here at night, and a place for them has been left in the magical “fences” surrounding the farmers’ trees, bushes, and plots. These creatures, too, may share the precious water, grazing a little on the reeds and grasses and other foliage not protected by magic. From the village, one must pass along the course of the stream to get to the dell in which the Pool of Hapy lies. The path beside the mill pond continues on along the eastern verge of the stream. After a mile or so, it enters a shallow-sided and gentle cut in the hill just south of Aartuat. Its flat portion is about 90 feet wide; it then inclines upward another 60 feet on each side. This rise continues more steeply after and one can catch glimpses of rocky outcroppings and scrubby vegetation. This is certainly a gully washed into the higher ground by water and weather over the centuries. Its bottom and near sides are verdant, the villagers growing all manner of bushes and vegetables to either hand. One must walk through this miniature valley for about 200 feet, then one enters a beautiful dell, a bowl-shaped valley with a lovely pool of blue water in its southern portion. The area beyond the dell is undulating, barren, with scrub and many steep ravines and cuts. This is perfect terrain for the antelopes, gazelles, and other game. North to South: 1000 feet of level land, the southern portion being taken up by the Pool of Hapy, which is roughly 300 feet in diameter. The place is bisected by the pool and the stream, dividing it into an eastern two-thirds and a western third. East to West: 600 feet level, then 300 feet to either hand of inward sloping land. Almost all of the area consists of cultivated palms, trees, and bushes or in vegetable plots. The southeastern verge is hedged off by magic. The foliage is natural, and the animals come through this portion to drink and find food in the driest and most difficult times. What do you need to do to benefit from its properties? Give up adventuring and take up farming, learn the mysteries of irrigation... The Pool of Hapy is not inherently magical, it's merely where the Shrine of Hapy is located. And where the high priest, Merha-Aptut, dwells. This quiet and dedicated cleric has as his mission the spreading of appreciation for the role of Hapy in the scheme of things, particularly here in the barren west so far from the great Nylle. He has come here to escape the crowded cities and to dwell in relative isolation, yet so placed as to assist all the villagers with his abilities and counsel too. Merha-aptut is not simple, but he has relatively rigid ways and fixed views. He also happens to possesses an artifact/relic of his deity, which will allow him to cast the 4th level Exorcism spell with a % chance of success. |
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Post by Wolfgar on Oct 30, 2014 10:39:24 GMT -5
This is the same mill pond where the demonurgist-wizard Shenau lives, right? Shenau and Merha-Aptut are not the same person, right? I guess we will be checking out the mill pond.
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Post by venger on Oct 30, 2014 12:19:36 GMT -5
This is the same mill pond where the demonurgist-wizard Shenau lives, right? The widower Gerhit and his son Hep-thait have a "shabby hut just south of the mill pond in need of a white-wash." Shenau and Merha-Aptut are not the same person, right? Claiming to be Gerhit’s brother-in-law, Shenau came to live with him in Aartuat about two years ago, just a year after Gerhit himself came to the village. This was the same time the old hedge-practitioner in Aartuat died suddenly. The folk were glad then that Shenau was there, for he too could wield magic so as to keep out destructive wild animals, reduce rodent depredations, and generally serve to assist in the care and well being of the community. However, this newcomer soon became unpopular, for he charged too much gold for his services and was slow in answering calls for assistance. When the Priest appeared shortly thereafter, there was non-too secret rejoicing in Aartuat, for Merha-aptut was a kheri-heb, a priest-mage, able to do all that was necessary to maintain the folk and their land too! Even though Shenau lowered his fees thereafter, he got little custom, and the folk have wondered to themselves since why he lingers here, for he does nothing most of the time. I guess we will be checking out the mill pond. The mill is a stone house built so that it takes advantage of the flow of water from the nearby pond to turn a small millstone. The miller grinds all the village grain and has a comfortable income. There is flour everywhere in the low-ceilinged ground floor room, and even some up on the floor above where he, his wife, and four children dwell. The family serves Isis and Nepri (goddess of the harvest). From the mill building a pond runs southwest some 150 feet to where the stream that feeds it enters. It is around 60 feet wide at the mill-caravanserai-end, tapering to but 20 feet at its head. The east bank is grassy and drops cleanly into the water. Toward the west, the shore is flatter and muddy. Reeds and marsh plants grow in abundance there. Beyond are fruit trees, bushes and vegetable plots. The water is full of little particles and algae, but it seems clean enough for people despite this. Of course magic is probably used to make sure dangerous sicknesses don't spring from here. There are lots of ducks and geese around the pond and swimming in the water. Obviously, this resource is shared by the whole village. The village grew up around the caravanserai because there was water here. Brick makers took the clay-rich soil from the banks of the stream to provide building material for themselves and others. As the village grew, the pond developed, and then the mill was constructed, a dam being built to cause the water to flow rapidly enough for the wheel to turn the millstone. As the pond grew even larger, its service to the community increased. Small channels for irrigation were run from it, more domestic waterfowl could be kept, and fish and crustaceans from its waters added a pleasant variety to the diet of the folk there by its banks. The underground stream continues to pour forth its torrent, the brick maker’s work expands the pond, and its aquatic life flourishes. Insects, minnows, frogs, crayfish, turtles, and fish make their home in the pond. Nordel, Haidar and Ahmed are here.Along with a group of soldiers in leather armor, with longspears, and long cowled capes of pale mustard yellow with narrow red stripes. These are average regular soldiers -tough, hard drinking, and with a love for gambling. They are suspicious of outsiders and strangers, and not particularly friendly to anyone they don’t know and respect. None of them likes brigands and all hate nomad raiders, even those of the unit who are themselves of like background. They are led by their platoon sergeant, Hetet-f, similarly attired but with two gold crescent moons military insignia. He appears strong, wily, tough, and able in a lot of different areas not entirely approved of by the government? He is very orderly in his habits and demands likewise of others under his command. |
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Post by Ginger on Oct 30, 2014 12:45:45 GMT -5
Hurray for a reunion with our missing comrades. We will thank them for their quick thinking in escaping with our most important valuables.
Meta-game: What are their plans? I'm cool with them being semi-permanent ship guards in the case their respective players return. To that point, what's Mary's plan?
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Post by venger on Oct 30, 2014 13:38:30 GMT -5
Hurray for a reunion with our missing comrades. We will thank them for their quick thinking in escaping with our most important valuables. They barely escaped with their lives and as it turns out all the non-cursed/non-evil magic items aboard the ship, including spellbooks. The carpet of meditation was stretching even Nordel's encumbrance limit but I figure with horses they could manage. Meta-game: What are their plans? Ahmed will leave, returning to a career as a caravan guard, adventuring being not to his liking. Haidar and Nordel are undecided. Nordel's time with the elves in Tell-el-Amarna was Tolkien-esque and he would like to go back. To that point, what's Mary's plan? Mary has responsibilities in Fenhold. Foremost, informing the already dispirited peoples of Fenhold that they've lost their dwarven lord. And then sending a letter to the Baron. And dealing with the Iron Hellhound mercenaries ... and whatever is eating Old Merdith Hornscraper's cows... and carrying off the halfling sheep. Old Ser Ghereint's animated corpse wandering the countryside. Some kind of halfling crime syndicate operating out of Barnaby-Under-Bramble. Angry elves firing warning shots at the human farmers. Another unusually early winter... food shortages, the usual. |
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Post by venger on Oct 30, 2014 15:16:50 GMT -5
We will detect evil on everything. We will detect traps on the scroll and books. Dan will use the Augury Sticks to check if opening the scroll is a bad idea (i.e. cursed). If everything looks good Dan and Youssef will read them. magical: (2) silken robes adorned with snake-like runes jars of cosmetics ***"Set-mage" brass tablet spellbook (12/12 spell levels) (100 encumbrance) 1st Level: Charm Person 2nd Level: Stinking Cloud, Mage Shield 3rd Level: Slow 4th Level: Dimension Door ***"Set-mage" papyrus roll spellbook (12/12 spell levels) (30 encumbrance) 1st Level: Hail of Stone, Magic Missile, Shield, Read Magic, Detect Magic 2nd Level: Mirror Image, Invisibility 3rd Level: Fly ritual dagger metal wand ***mage scroll - Contingency, Charm Monster, Choke Cloud of Hept-na @ 14th level lens mace (3) shield(s) (symbol of Set) scalemail scalemail hammer green dragon scalemail shield (hooded cobra) halberd belt blue dragon scalemail (8) javelin(s) of lightning scimitar shield (asps) bracers (6) chainmail (4) chainmail (1) chainmail ring small transparent crystal prism on a chain (prism necklace) (4) strange necklaces serpent-skin gloves blue potion clear potion (8) green bubbling potion scimitar crossbow shield (fiend-faced) (30) holy symbols of Set - wood/silver/iron/gold devil talisman onyx scarab Devil talisman, unholy symbols and ritual dagger are evil. No traps, no curses. I'll post the scroll/spellbook descriptions with an edit *** Paavo will look at the devil talisman. Note he is always properly protected. If it requires a read magic we will make sure Youssef is protected from accidentally calling forth a devil. It holds a special combinations of inscriptions that will allow the wielder to command, or keep at bay, something named Amemt, "The Devourer of Millions" aka "Eater-of-Hearts". Is there an alchmeist in Aartuat? If so we will ask him to identify the potions. Nope. Unless Shenau dabbles in such things. Caravanserai Merchant/provisioner "House of Hept-f-hra, Honest Merchants for 1000 Years" Smithy & harness repair Tavern & brewery "The House of Horus' Fortune" Trader shop/religious iconography "The House of All Gods," home to Atmu-thoth-rahat, who sold you the deity figurines Mill The holy symbols of Set we will destroy and have melted down to base metals. Adjacent to the Merchant’s, on the east, is a long but flat construction from which clanging comes. An open gate in the walled portion of the place enables one to see that it is indeed a smith‘s establishment. The man, Uptupi, his wife, and 3 children who live and work here do metal forging and repair, as well as saddle, harness, and tack repair. He is a quiet fellow, peaceful, he and his family venerating Ptah. Uptupi isn’t very bright, and he will merely shrug during the whole of most conversations not connected with his work. Uptupi will pay 30GP for those base metals. |
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Post by venger on Oct 30, 2014 15:17:13 GMT -5
I guess it's hard to do while we're on the board, but we should be circumspect about our activities in Aartuat to keep Shenau the evil wizard from knowing we're back and preparing for our attack. Everyone in the village knows the party has arrived. There are three dozen formerly enslaved people milling around, wondering what is to become of them. |
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Post by Ginger on Oct 30, 2014 16:25:37 GMT -5
I'm thinking that Colby and Haddiq need to get to Aartuat soon to help the party attack Shenau. I'm sure he'll have some cool stuff, but a demon guarded 12th level wizard will not be a pushover in his own lair. If we don't want to further pursue the Egypt quests, do we need to bother?
We want some of Mary's party items, like the Mud Ring. It would be nice if she stays to help identify or train Finnious in 5th level spells, but otherwise she can head on her way.
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Post by Wolfgar on Oct 31, 2014 7:49:04 GMT -5
Are the soldiers the local law enforcement? I don't think we can just go and attack Shenau in the middle of the town without proof or cause. We will show the soldiers the state of the Ship and swear out complaints against Shenau - consorting with demons, attacking the ship, destroying property, grand theft.
Is he even in town? I would think he is with the rest of the Settites at the Gorge. Did anyone see him and a bunch of men going through town with a whole bunch of loot in the last day?
Can we get any sort of confirmation from Istantar that Shenau and the priests in the Gorge have broken the law? That they need to be stopped? Now that the authorities know, are we even allowed to do anything?
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Post by Wolfgar on Oct 31, 2014 8:02:05 GMT -5
We will take the 30 GP for the holy symbols. We will give the formerly enslaved people 100 GP each. They can settle here or travel back home on the next caravan. Do any of them have any additional information for us? Are any of them interested in becoming guards for the Ship? Do any of them have experience in that sort of thing?
We will destroy the talisman.
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Post by venger on Oct 31, 2014 10:19:42 GMT -5
We want some of Mary's party items, like the Mud Ring. It would be nice if she stays to help identify or train Finnious in 5th level spells, but otherwise she can head on her way. She is OK with that. But she also needs some money from her party account to take back to Fenhold. Are the soldiers the local law enforcement? The caravanserai is both a hostel for passing travelers and a small military post. It is a relatively busy place, the east-northwest trade being active and a caravan from each direction stopping at least once per month. Combined with the soldiers, this brings a fair income to Aartuat, and the folk are content thus. The military is present at the Aartuat Caravanserai to keep the peace in it and the village, as well as to see that commerce flows smoothly and that traders and merchants and their animals and goods are secure and unmolested. Thus, they are anti-crime and are present to prevent raiders from attacking this place or caravans moving nearby. To a lesser extent, they watch to see that no large force of nomads penetrates the kingdom undetected. They garrison the strong point, too, keeping it as a threat while they await reinforcement. These troops have no love for foreigners. Most they’ve encountered have been either raiders bent on killing them or tomb robbers, desecrating the ancient burial places of their ancestors. Or else merchants and traders desirous of fleecing them of their pay. Fortunately Haidar has already established his credentials as a priest-mage of Bast. I don't think we can just go and attack Shenau in the middle of the town without proof or cause. We will show the soldiers the state of the Ship and swear out complaints against Shenau - consorting with demons, attacking the ship, destroying property, grand theft. Right now they're busy examining some very large reptile tracks that Nordel has shown them. Haidar advises the party to "remember that societies and cultures differ. Here, strangers are fair game as far as theft is concerned. Compared to the poor residents of the village, the player characters possess considerable wealth. Taking things from outsiders is accepted practice, not a crime or evil, and anyone not attempting to do so would be considered either wealthy or crazy. But if the party shows themselves to be tough but honest folk, not all that different from the villagers despite their strange appearance, speech, and dress; and become friendly with Atmu-thoth-rahat and some of the regular people, as well as Khonsu’ and Merha-aptut, all will be well. Should thereafter they become embroiled with the wicked ones there the villagers will side with the party, and this will sway the troop commander." Is he even in town? I would think he is with the rest of the Settites at the Gorge. Did anyone see him and a bunch of men going through town with a whole bunch of loot in the last day? No, actually. But his brother-in-law Gerhit and nephew Hep-thait are present. Can we get any sort of confirmation from Istantar that Shenau and the priests in the Gorge have broken the law? That they need to be stopped? Now that the authorities know, are we even allowed to do anything? Not mid-morning on Day 359. The party is free to interact with the village of Aartuat and its nearby surrounds: the Pool of Hapy; while they await word from Colby, Haddiq and Khonsu and the authorities in Istantar. Whatever situation arises in Aartuat, even combat, can be easily resolved on the messageboard. |
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Post by Wolfgar on Oct 31, 2014 10:59:48 GMT -5
Paavo and Dan will go talk to Merha-Aptut. They will make a donation of 1000 gp towards the good works of the temple of Hapy. Paavo will then explain that the party is working with the High Priest of Thoth and Khonsu to discover information about the activities of the Settites in the Gorge. Paavo will tell him about their discovery in the Gorge and the Temple of Set. He will also mention the fact that Shenau is a demonurgist and in liege with the Settites who have taken over the Gorge. Some of our party members are in Istantar discussing things with the Dragon Pharaoh. We hope to hear more from them within the day.
If he gets a good reaction from Merha-Aptut then he will inquire about an exorcism with the use of the Holy Relic of Hapy. He will tell Merha-Aptut that the Falcon of Horus informed him of its existence after the cleansing of the temple and destruction of the Spark of Set. Hopefully this could be done after the matter of the Gorge and Shenau are resolved.
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Post by Wolfgar on Oct 31, 2014 11:06:22 GMT -5
We want some of Mary's party items, like the Mud Ring. It would be nice if she stays to help identify or train Finnious in 5th level spells, but otherwise she can head on her way. She is OK with that. But she also needs some money from her party account to take back to Fenhold. I think it is safe to assume that when Friedrich and Mary left, they took their share from the party accounts. Friedrich was definitely in arrears on taxes and debt for Fenhold and could have used the cash infusion. |
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Post by venger on Oct 31, 2014 12:16:01 GMT -5
I added the spellbooks and scroll contents to the list above. We will take the 30 GP for the holy symbols. +30GP We will give the formerly enslaved people 100 GP each. -3600GP and there is much rejoicing. Do any of them have any additional information for us? Nothing pertinent. Are any of them interested in becoming guards for the Ship? Several of them express a willingness to join Paavo! Do any of them have experience in that sort of thing? 0XP. We will destroy the talisman. Two alternatives: 1) Atmu-thoth-rahat would pay 500GP for it. 2) Or he offers to sell the party a reliquary in which to store it for 1500GP. A gold container, properly blessed to imprison malign influences, the metal shielding their nature from any observation. In the case the party decides to do so, Atmu-thoth-rahat is certain for the very low fee of 30GP Merha-aptut, the priest of Hapy, would happily (haha) consecrate and lay blessings on the container, thus ensuring the talisman is safely kept. Paavo and Dan will go talk to Merha-Aptut... They will make a donation of 1000 gp towards the good works of the temple of Hapy. -1000GP This sort of dialog from Merha-aptut is appropriate: “It is good to see outsiders so concerned with our gods, our ways, our people. Your deportment is such that I will assist as I am able.” And/or: “Khonsu-khaibet is an upright and good man. You are blessed indeed to have gained him as an ally.” Merha-aptut suspicions as to the dark nature of those occupying the Temple of Set are confirmed and he praises the party for revealing the malign nature and schemes of Shenau. He explains while there is some commerce with the residents of the Temple of Osiris and their minions, nobody in the village will speak of that, nor will they identify anyone as being associated with that place. It is as much superstition as any intransigence. The forbidden nature of the Gorge has been ingrained into these folk from earliest childhood, just as it was in their parents, grandparents, and so on. Some might suspect that the new servants of the temple in the forbidden place aren’t “right,” but that makes them all the more uneasy and silent. If he gets a good reaction from Merha-Aptut then he will inquire about an exorcism with the use of the Holy Relic of Hapy. Merha-aptut generally requires a service for his fees, for he is constantly helping the needy in Aartuat and hopes one day to build a small temple to Hapy in the village. While this ecclesiastic is by no means mercenary, he will absolutely charge high but fair prices for his services. The foreigners have the wherewithal, and the villagers are not wealthy. Sums collected will be used to help the needy, the poor, etc. For 7000GP more he will perform this function. Which is a discount from the DMG. price of 1000GP/level of caster. Or, if the party chooses to continue their mission in the Gorge of Osiris and venture within the accursed tomb, he'll do it for free. Merha-aptut will not leave the area of his domicile and Aartuat, but he will provide all things he is able to with spells or otherwise assist the team to achieve success. In this regard, he has some special weapons he will bestow upon the party. "Certain things of battle that will be of use to you in that which lies before you. And no, do not ask what each does for I am a man of peace and I have no answers for you." A trident that has a cord of silvery material fastened to its end. An axe of a two-handed sort, obviously made for warfare, with a golden blade. A mace of shining copper, also of the two-handed sort. I think it is safe to assume that when Friedrich and Mary left, they took their share from the party accounts. Friedrich was definitely in arrears on taxes and debt for Fenhold and could have used the cash infusion. Well then she doesn't need any money and things in Fenhold suddenly don't look so bleak. -Friedrich & Mary's party funds |
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Post by Wolfgar on Oct 31, 2014 16:37:33 GMT -5
Youssef will try to figure out what the effects of "Choke Cloud of Hept-na" are. He will try to determine if he is of the appropriate level to cast it. I assume it is Elemental Air Magic so that should give him a better chance. Do we have any spell ink? Is any available in town? If not we will Send to Colby to pick up some. If we do have ink and Youssef is high enough level to cast it then he will transcribe it into Haffrung's spellbook.
If we are going to be waiting a couple of days for Colby and Haddiq to return then Paavo will pay for the exorcism. Is there a money back guarantee if it doesn't work? Can Dan and the other clerics assist to increase the chances of success?
Also if we have time and pearls are available we could some identifications. If we are out of pearls then we will Send to Colby.
We'll hold onto the talisman for now. We can store it in a ceramic jar in the q-box until we get a better offer for its destruction.
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Post by Ginger on Oct 31, 2014 17:20:56 GMT -5
We saw the mage cast Cloudkill, I wouldn't be surprised it's a variant. Does it involve evil components?
We also have training for Vishalla and Baken-mut for 4th level cleric spells and Fin for 5th level mage spells. That needs to start sooner rather than later, since Colby is 8 days away.
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Post by Bolo on Oct 31, 2014 21:57:32 GMT -5
Nordel, Haidar and Ahmed are here. So they rescued the loot? I thought you meant they had absconded with it! Bolo would be so disappointed in them. |
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Post by Ginger on Nov 2, 2014 15:21:25 GMT -5
Does Aartuat have all of the training supplies and pearls we need? We should get that started ASAP.
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Post by Wolfgar on Nov 3, 2014 12:30:13 GMT -5
How far is it to Farnoc? Would we be able to get supplies there like pearls, spell ink, training material?
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Post by venger on Nov 3, 2014 21:51:10 GMT -5
Youssef will try to figure out what the effects of "Choke Cloud of Hept-na" are. He will try to determine if he is of the appropriate level to cast it. I assume it is Elemental Air Magic so that should give him a better chance. Elemental (Air) (Fire) / Conjuration. Material component soot or ash. He believes it is 4th level. He can only speculate as to its effects unless he casts it. Do we have any spell ink? 15 spell inks from the Ship. Is any available in town? If not we will Send to Colby to pick up some. No spell ink in town. 2-3 days to Farnoc or place an order with Hept-f-hra and it will arrive on the next caravan in 2-3 weeks. Let me know in the other thread if there is a purchase. If we do have ink and Youssef is high enough level to cast it then he will transcribe it into Haffrung's spellbook. Learns it, writes it. 1d100=16, 1d100=80If we are going to be waiting a couple of days for Colby and Haddiq to return then Paavo will pay for the exorcism. -7000GP. Is there a money back guarantee if it doesn't work? Can Dan and the other clerics assist to increase the chances of success? Merha-aptut has no doubt in his god or the artifacts he holds. He needs no assistance. It will take him a few days to prepare for the ritual. He will let Paavo know when he is ready. Also if we have time and pearls are available we could some identifications. Haidar saved 49 pearls. We'll hold onto the talisman for now. We can store it in a ceramic jar in the q-box until we get a better offer for its destruction. Atmu-thoth-rahat wants to know what better offer the party would like? Not only is he the proprietor of the idol shop House of All Gods, but he is also a philosopher, pantheologist and mystic who serves under the Vow to Sekhmet - the lioness-headed Greater deity of retribution, consort of Ptah, one of the chief powers of Good in Aegypt and it is his responsibility to see that something so evil is properly contained/disposed of. We saw the mage cast Cloudkill, I wouldn't be surprised it's a variant. Does it involve evil components? No. We also have training for Vishalla and Baken-mut for 4th level cleric spells and Fin for 5th level mage spells. That needs to start sooner rather than later, since Colby is 8 days away. OK. Does Aartuat have all of the training supplies and pearls we need? We should get that started ASAP. Aartuat has all the basic materials needed to train any character class. The party has enough pearls to identify 49 items. How far is it to Farnoc? Would we be able to get supplies there like pearls, spell ink, training material? 2-3 days. Yes, if required. Finnious - 14 days and 1800GP (trained by Mary) 1d6+1=4, 2d6+9=14Vashalla - 19 days and 1400GP (trained by Haidar) Bakenmut - 16 days and 1400GP (trained by NPC cleric) or 16 days and 700GP (trained by Haidar when he's done) or 32 days and 2800GP (self-trained) 1d6+1, 2d6+7=[3, 1], [6, 6, 7], 1d6+1, 2d6+7=[1, 1], [6, 3, 7]The party has more than enough money. |
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Post by venger on Nov 3, 2014 21:51:40 GMT -5
Nordel, Haidar and Ahmed are here. So they rescued the loot? I thought you meant they had absconded with it! Bolo would be so disappointed in them. Nordel would have never stood for it! And Ahmed was like a paladin! |
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Post by venger on Nov 3, 2014 22:03:21 GMT -5
The party has more than enough money. Between the loot taken from the Temple of Set (this thread) and the reward from the Temple of Thoth (the other thread), the party has 115,900GP in treasure. With the stolen treasure from the ship and minus the expenditures above the party accounts are approximately -75000GP. Let me know if training commences. Time will move forward. |
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Post by Ginger on Nov 4, 2014 7:52:31 GMT -5
Colby will do more things in the other thread, but I'm ok with advancing this thread for Youssef to ID items and everyone else train.
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