The Mausoleum

[redwarrior]

Cormag eyes the shield with interest, as it is clearly something special, but defers to the group as to how proceeds are split, well aware of his status as a junior member of the band. He will happily take his share in coin of the realm!
good with any split.

[Belkregos]

Belloc
continued searching, even as his companion, Crestos, perched on a nearby wall, intently looking for any clues of hidden content. He sifted through the items found, clearly uninterested in gold or jewels. The only thing that caught his eye was the shield, which bore the emblem of a comet and fist. Belloc put the shield aside and looked through his notebook, where he found a sketch of a similar emblem. The sketch was not precise, but it was enough to give Belloc hope. He nodded to himself and continued searching, determined to find the source of the two emblems.

OOC: Belloc continues searching for anything that might have arcane characteristics, also writing down specific symbols or clues of the historic significance of the site,
OOC: for split Belloc is fine either way, Belloc is mainly interested on arcane artefacts and information

[sastaz]

Tuurma is still resting by the wall and does not express any opinion as of now.

OOC: Tuurma lost her armor, shield and (specialized) weapon fighting that ooze that was killing Kain, so any share she'd get would go against trying to restore as much as possible of that

[Ahlmzhad]

Taibhse

"Yes, burning it may be the best option. We sure can't just leave it."

Taibhse would be interested in small gems that he could add to his string of beads, but will take anything, and would want some coins.

[Monsieur Rose]

Kainaxarthos

Kain suggests splitting the coin, making sure everyone has enough to cover food and lodging. If someone wants jewelry instead of coin, that works. The shield should go to someone who could use it, but we need to have it looked at for ties to rumors. The comet motif is strong. "I'll help fund new gear for you Tuurma." He looks over at Maxon. "We should deal with his stuff as well."

He makes a note of the comet shield and points out the obvious similarities to the fresco on the wall. Noticing Belloc's similar interest, he strikes up a conversation.

"Belloc, right? What do you make of that comet?"

About the zombie in the room: "Don't burn it. Yet. It's entirely possible that it hasn't turned. Maybe something to do with the timing of the comet? Let's bind his hands, then search him."

[Belkregos]

Kainaxarthos
He makes a note of the comet shield and points out the obvious similarities to the fresco on the wall. Noticing Belloc's similar interest, he strikes up a conversation.

"Belloc, right? What do you make of that comet?"

He pauses for a moment, Yes Belloc rubbing his chin as he looks at the images again.
"Well, there wasn't a lot of information on these old sites," he says. "But the precious little I found referenced Stygia or Stygians. The etymology of the word comes from ancient Greek language and the river Styx, which is from old Greek mythology. In ancient Greek culture, comets were often seen as omens of bad luck or impending disaster."

He pauses again, thinking. "The fist could represent the desire to conquer over the impending disaster or even after death," he continues. "By what we've encountered, a depraved mind might consider they at least partially succeeded. There must be more here, though. If they wanted to conquer death, they must have done more. The shield is also a hint they made inroads. There's no sign of corrosion on it. When I get back to my research area in the Astrologer's Tower, I can investigate the specific qualities of any artifacts we find and how to best utilize them. But I think there should be more yet to uncover."

He nods and continues searching, conversing with his companions as he does.

[OGRE MAGE]

The Lost Mausoleum
Finishing The Job, Next Morning

With enough value found in coin to buy everyone in the group new armor and weapons, Ceana looks over the silver trinkets, suggesting they simply torch the strange fresh looking zombie in the coffin. Taibhse agrees, causing a look of concern to cross the face of Belloc.

After conversing over the strange body, Kain suggests waiting till the figure can be searched. He binds it’s dead hands and looks through any pockets he sees, finding no new valuables and no other clues.

Intuition causes Bellocs certainty that there is something else here they haven’t yet located. Staring at the corpse still laying in the coffin, they just can’t figure out where else they should look. Or……. why this body looks so much different than every other zombie they fought in this place.

Actions?

So Far:
140gp
Small Shield
???
I will rely on one of the players to divide this evenly while I am away. I will bribe that player with extra XP, if I must. Anyone want to give it a go?

Kainaxarthos AC:6 3/8 1st:2/2
Tuurma AC:7 4/13
Ceana AC:5 5/8 1st:3/3
Taibhse AC:7 2/7 1st:1/2 MM
Cormag AC:4 5/11
Belloc AC:6 7/9 2/3 Crestos: (Owl) AC:7 4/4

[hedgeknight]

Ceana

Watching the others tie the hands of the pale creature, she listens as Belloc speaks. Then says, "I guess we could move the body...as long as it doesn't wake up. This creature...it looks more powerful than the others."
She tries to recall any tales or advise from the wise women in her village.

[Belkregos]

Belloc
nods
Let's give the room another go over.... before we move to the last room we havent explored
Is there anything else on the sarcophagus? (belloc checks for a false bottom or secret compartment)

steps back and overlooks the room again, trying to find any clue they might have missed
some time before moving out he adds

i suggest we divide the coin in equal parts but the gear we give it to whoever can use it better, for example, for the shield i wouldn't be the best candidate but i think most any of you would make better use of it

divides the 140gp giving 28 to each of us

[Monsieur Rose]

Kainaxarthos

"Well, I guess there's nothing left to do but move him and check the coffin."

Kain looks at others to help. "I'll grab the feet."

[redwarrior]

Cormag has learned to distrust the dead, and stands with his broadsword ready in case the corpse has any objections.

[Ahlmzhad]

Taibhse

Having no knowledge of such places isn't sure why Belloc feels this way, but as he sees him start to search the last occupied coffin he will copy him on the unoccupied ones.

[sastaz]

Tuurma slowly gets on her feet again and picks up the morning star, looking as if she was trying to shake off a horrible hangover.

"Ouff. Are you waking the dead again? On the other hand, better kill them off one by one that getting swarmed, again."

She does not close in on the coffin with the fresh body but tries to be ready if it jumps at us.

She turns to Belloc while the others deal with the body.

"Could you make heads of tails of those comet paintings? Or motifs, rather."

[OGRE MAGE]

The Lost Mausoleum
Finishing The Job, Next Morning

Remembering and hearing nothing close to this situation in their past, the group readies for the worst.

The fresh looking undead is lifted from his coffin and set aside. Once separated from its vessel for a few moments, the body rapidly begins to deteriorate, terrifyingly turning to dust before your very eyes. Looking back to the coffin, Kain and Belloc both smirk slightly.

Searching through the folds of the padding under the former occupant, two items are found. The first is a once fancy but now rotting leather sack, containing a few small, roundish shapes. The second is a twisted 5 foot length of some black stone-like material, its distorted shape and odd geometric dimensions are both nauseating and confusing to behold. Anyone putting their hand close to the oddity laying in the bottom of the coffin finds the bizarre item to be emanating a distinct cold sensation.

A1F83431-424E-4A86-B173-FD66D350C350.jpeg (24.31 KiB) Viewed 1593 times

Actions?

Kainaxarthos AC:6 3/8 1st:2/2
Tuurma AC:7 4/13
Ceana AC:5 5/8 1st:3/3
Taibhse AC:7 2/7 1st:1/2 MM
Cormag AC:4 5/11
Belloc AC:6 7/9 2/3 Crestos: (Owl) AC:7 4/4

[Ahlmzhad]

Taibhse

Seeing the commotion around the other coffin, Taibhse cuts short his search and goes over to see what they have found. He'll look at the strange object, intrigued if it is a key to the secrets of necromancy he has begun to study.

[Monsieur Rose]

Kainaxarthos

"Well then." Kain looks down at the item. "Even I don't know what that is. I wouldn't touch it yet."

Kain picks up the sack, carefully dumping one item from it on the ground without touching the item.

"It seems as if that...thing...was preventing decay. How fascinating. Ceana? What do you make of it? IS it Druidic?"

[Belkregos]

Belloc
his eyes widened as he beheld the artifact.
He shuffled through his notebook to find a sketch resembling the artifact.

Yes, this is it. The Staff of Stygian Purpose!.

The fact that it was here gives credence to some of my thoughts on the matter. This region has a long history of arcane pursuits, and the rumors of undead in the streets of Xambala are more than that. he mumbled to himself then looked at his companions to try and explain

The staff is a node of necromantic energy, a small window into the netherworld or outer forces. What came through the window was raw and will continue leaking and seeping through. It needs a prism to focus it, a strong mind to act as a lens and hold it shut.

They had risked much to get here. This was a powerful but dangerous tool. It must be used with care.

Belloc threw his backpack and weapons out of reach, then exposed his upper torso and prepared to touch the artifact.

"It's better we test it here so we don't expose the whole city to any repercussions," he said. "You can neutralize me if you see things get out of control."

He took a deep breath and tentatively touched the staff.

[hedgeknight]

[hedgeknight]

"It seems as if that...thing...was preventing decay. How fascinating. Ceana? What do you make of it? IS it Druidic?"

Ceana backs away from the...thing. A look of horror on her face...much like the time a boy from another village showed her his quivering manhood and asked her if she wanted to touch it. She shudders at the memory.

Then Belloc starts taking off his clothes and she feels sick to her stomach...again.

[OGRE MAGE]

Solid gold.