lostsole31
  
 
 
   
    FORGOTTEN NO MORE!  
        Deep in the Osirian desert stands the blank-faced monument known as the Sightless Sphinx. In search of the stolen mummy of Chisisek, the architect of the flying tomb of the Sky Pharaoh Hakotep I, the last heroes tracked down the cult of the Forgotten Pharaoh to its secret headquarters inside the sphinx. There they faced their enemies - the Cult of the Forgotten Pharaoh, and hopefully put the to the last of them to the sword, including the masked cultists' leader, the Forgotten Pharaoh, who had been possessed by a fragment of Hakotep's soul. They then turned their attentions to the monstrous mercenaries and servants of the demon lord Areshkagal and were overwhelmed by horrific undead of all types ... even their own fallen allies-turned-specters!

Only one person amazingly survived, the one who currently wears the  Mask of the Forgotten Pharaoh , the self-styled "Scion of Neverwinter" whose keep - previously liberated and liberated from the evil efreet that previously held it - exists deep within the Northern Parched Dunes. He sent an emissary south to report of the loss of all Epsilon Elite Mercenary Company agents on that mission. Now, he sends another, hoping that despite the losses the Wati Fraternity suffered, that perhaps more heroes will answer the call to assail the demon-haunted demesne ...
the Sightless Sphinx!   
      DRAMATIS PERSONAE     
     Character
[Player]
  
  Speech
Color  
  AL
  
  Faith  
  Race [Ethnicity]
(Gender ID)
  
  Side #1
  
  Side #2
  
  Campaign Trait  
 
    Aaminah (...) Sherazi
[NPC]
   
   Dark Orange
   
 CG 
 Desna 
 Stranger (f)
[Elemental Order: Efreeti] 
 Efreeti 12
[SHD 9 / AT 3] 
 Vizier 5/
Ringbearer 7 
 Sphinx Riddler 
 
    Agent Rho
[qazgir]
 
  
   Fire Brick Red 
  
 LG 
 Ra 
 Oread (f)
[Garundi] 
 Epilektoi 12 
 Stormbound 12
[Herald of Summer] 
 Devotee of the Old Gods 
 
    Agent Sigma
[NPC]
   
   Teal 
  
 CG 
 Desna 
 Human (m)
[Tian-Shu] 
 Bard 12
[Archaeologist] 
 Fighter 12
[Myrmidon] 
 Resurrected 
 
    Agent Xi
[Preston]
 
  
   Violet 
  
 NG 
 Pharasma 
 Human (f)
[Keleshyte] 
 Cryptic 12 
 Vitalist 12 
 Undead Crusader 
 
    Norbert
[NPC]
   
   Blue
   
 CG 
 Desna 
 Human [Ulfen] 
 Cleric 12 
 ??? 
 Foreign Opportunist 
 
    Scion of Neverwinter
[NPC]
   
   Golden Rod
   
 CG 
 Desna 
 Human? 
 ??? 
 ??? 
 Inquisitive Archaeologist 
 
  
lostsole31
  "It all began just over a year ago, simply enough with what amounted to a city-wide, state sponsored treasure hunt,"   begins Solon Delta, the head of the Wati Fraternity of the Epsilon Elite Mercenary Company. A rather short half-elf at only 5' 3", and with perhaps a little extra weight (but not too much), the captivating Ustalavan expatriate begins the tale of sorrow that covers many, many deaths of those belonging to the embattled Wati Fraternity of the EEMC.

 
( The Half-Dead City )

A year ago, Wati held exactly as mentioned, where the Necropolis was mapped off in various lots, and a lot of teams were given lots of larger and more reputedly dangerous sites as they went. Many treasure hunters lost their lives, many amassed a surprising fortune, but more often than not, a salvage team found little more than trinkets and no danger. The EEMC was the most successful, dealing with only one death on the roster at that time, and finding getting to their third site and earning fame and wealth for themselves and the company.

At this time, the one who founded the Wati fraternity by charter of Epsilon Prime was Solon Chi, reputedly a Taldan ... another half-elf, in fact ... who had gained a knighthood but still traveled beyond Taldor for greater fame, and he had the idea for the EEMC to tweak their charter for treasure hunting. As the solon ("captain"), he did not actively adventure, but took care of administrative support for the team.


 
( Empty Graves )

While at an auction house where many of the treasures for different companies were being held, a strange pulse went through the city, waking everything that had lain dead. A mummy came out of her sarcophagus at the auction house. Many crawling hands - taken from thieves and put on display from the market - scuttled through town. But worse, the Necropolis itself - famous throughout Osirion for being the "city of the dead" woke from dire slumber.

The EEMC lost many but saved the town. In doing so, they discovered that a cultist similar to a few that agents (EEMC) had tangled with had accidentally triggered a  ka  pulse of negative energy from the mask of an ancient pharaoh, known in one cryptic piece of stone as the "Forgotten Pharaoh." The party dispatched the lead cultist and took the artifact for their own.


 
( Shifting Sands )

Since that time, many agents of the Cult of the Forgotten Pharaoh (CFP) dogged the EEMC's heels. It was estimated that this  Mask of the Forgotten Pharaoh  had released one soul fragment of an ancient pharaoh (the ka) which is theorized to have found its way back to the body of the pharaoh, wherever he yet lays undisturbed. Now there was a race against time to find and make sure this ancient pharaoh doesn't awaken and cause ruin.

Just before a strategy meeting, Solon Chi had been visited by members of his former adventuring company, the Band of the Blazing Birch. The CFP had infiltrated the fraternity and through a ritual, they managed to banish Solon Chi and his former company to parts unknown, but later magic revealed that they were not sent to anyplace on Golarion. Agent Nu, a paladin-warpriest of Iomedae, became the acting solon in his stead.

The agents (Nu included) traveled across the river to Tephu to research at the great library there. During that intense time of research in many different places, they battled the CFP several times, as well as other agents sent to assassinate them. Finally, they learned what they needed, which was to be found in the uncharted, vast, and inhospitable part of Osirion known as the Parched Dunes.

It was also during this time that the party had strange political entanglements, and a young boy with golden hair made himself known to Agent Nu. He called himself Arion to name himself something different from what he had been known before, but it was the Solon Chi returned as a boy of about the human equivalent of thirteen-years-old. Because of his age he could no longer take charge of the fraternity, and to protect him, Agent Nu adopted him. For all that, he still had the old solon's talent for study and architecture, despite his frame, and from now on he would continue adventuring with his foster mother and her team.

It was during this time that Solon Delta came to Wati to take over the fraternity.

The party then left Tephu and Wati behind to search for the architect of the Forgotten Pharaoh's tomb, a master of his craft in those days named Chisisek. A perilous scavenger hunt in the open desert to be sure, but finally they found it ... and it had recently been taken over by powerful members of the CFP, chasing away the sphinx guardian who in turn allied with the party, as did a living earth elemental monk.

More dangerous work, but they finally liberated the tomb, found Chisisek's final resting place, and used the information to discover that the next piece of the Forgotten Pharaoh's sundered soul was being held in an ancient fane in the northern part of the Parched Desert, the place they would come to know as the Sightless Sphinx.


 
( Sightless Sphinx, prior to now )

Brief return to Wati for resupply, and the group was back in the Parched Dunes exploring in a more northerly direction. They came upon a keep that was held by a force of evil fire genies (efreet) and vanquished all those above ground, despite very harrowing battles. Though Arion was left topside to keep an eye on an ally, the rest of the group made the fateful decision - despite flagging health and waning resources, to check a trap door going underground instead of waiting for the morrow.

There, they were beaten badly by a shaitan monk meditating at a shrine of Sekhmet. The party escaped topside and just outside of the gates to the keep, only for the shaitan to appear from the earth to cut them off. Agent Nu, a leader and member of the Wati EEMC since the beginning, was killed, as were many others, including the powerful sphinx Tetisurah from the Tomb of Chisisek. Agent Zeta, touching the allied earth elemental Trungldr, teleported away ... leaving the young boy Arion to be killed or enslaved, most likely, as all other members were killed.

Trungldr refused to enter Wati or even its farmland outskirts, but sat to meditate for the weeks in which Agent Zeta was given command of a new group. She was told to leave the keep alone, as it doesn't appear to have any strategic bearing on the company's objective. She took the new team, rendezvoused with Trungldr, and headed north.

There was a period of time in which the EEMC made some friends in small pockets, including Erayu, a maftet (a sphinx-like humanoid), who brokered a deal with Agent Zeta to attempt to work peaceably if possible with the subverted members of his tribe, to try not to kill the now-demon-worshiping maftets who were led astray by Userib, a bitter member of their people now worshiping the demon lord Areshkagal.

Soon, Zeta's guilt led her to guide the team back to the keep where so many friends had fallen, her mind filled with vengeance. As they neared, they heard shouts on the wind, drums and horns, and the smell of burning flesh. Driving the group to a forced march they came upon the keep to find it wholly changed. The shouts were of celebration; the music was festive; and the burning flesh were many delectable meats being cooked.

It seems a warlord came to the keep and somehow extracted peace from the murderous shaitan.  Worse it seems that the shaitan simply left the bodies she had slain and returned to her meditation. Meanwhile, the warlord sifted through the bodies, and donned what once had been on Agent Nu - the  Mask of the Forgotten Pharaoh . He treated the bodies with care and respect, burying them, and learning of their exploits through the "Journal of Newdra Zavenproo" (the real name of Agent Nu). The mysterious warlord, hearty and powerful but possibly of middle age due to various context clues, invited the party to join in the festival.

Agent Zeta and Trungldr had vengeance on their mind, and even though this warlord dedicated this keep to Desna to watch over travelers (Desna being an allied deity to Agent Zeta's own Sarenrae), she desperately tried to engineer discord with the host and with Picasi, the shaitan, using all manner of insults and innuendoes. Her behavior, albeit abhorrent even in the eyes of her fellow agents, was constantly defused by the masterful warlord, who went only by the moniker "The Scion of Neverwinter" ... the latter part now being the name of the keep and the very small thorp growing around it.

Finally, when it came to it, she demanded the  Mask of the Forgotten Pharaoh , feeling it was her "right" to have, despite leaving in fear from the field of battle; and she further demanded Picasi's head. The Scion refused, saying that Picasi was under his protection, but either she or her earth elemental could choose a contest - one in which magic items were allowed but not active spells. While Agent Zeta balked - being a powerful dervish-magus, Trungldr - an earth elemental monk - agreed to a wrestling match. The Scion agreed.

Even though there were no active spells allowed ... either to begin with nor in the contest ... the 16' tall earth elemental could not keep ahold of the man for more than a second before he slipped out of his grasp, again and again. Desna apparently showed such favor to Her champion, that her luck was there when they foolishly chose to wrestle, and her freedom smiled on him when he simply could not be held. To Agent Zeta's protests to get Trungldr to rip the mask off his head if not his head, Trungldr finally relented, even smiling. With the entire team against her, there was nothing for Zeta to do but sulk in her jealousy and vengeance.

The Scion left Neverwinter the next morning with the EEMC to continue the search for the next resting place of the Forgotten Pharaoh's soul.

They finally made it to the Sightless Sphinx, a place seemingly a CFP stronghold. Many forays were made, and despite a couple agent deaths, the survivors of Agents Zeta and Xi (of the previous holder of that title) and the Scion managed to defeat a woman who was possessed by the  ib  of the Forgotten Pharaoh and broke the back of the CFP. Unfortunately, Trungldr was crumbled to dust by the shouts of a banshee.

Back to Wati for more reinforcements - three of them, in fact - while the Scion had an agent contact someone on the Elemental Plane of Fire for another and his manservant.

The next foray was now to begin in a different direction, and it didn't get far. They tripped a sort of trap, not a real trap, but one where their life essences woke bodaks from crypts, soon the bodaks were joined by demon worshipers flying well away from the influence of the bodak gazes.

Things go to be so harrying for one agent that he teleported away in fear ... only to do so and get stopped by the Sphinx's teleport-impermeability, and thus found himself swarmed by specters before he knew what happened. As the battle raged elsewhere in the Sphinx, Areshkagal captured the soul of the dead agent and transformed him into an advanced specter to lead the others ... and he led them back to the battle. There, as specters dropped other agents, they too would rise as specters granted their full prowess of magic they had in life and caused massive ruin, though some were killed by spell more than spectral draining.

By the end of it, only the Scion - protected for a time from death magic by the  Mask of the Forgotten Pharaoh  - survived and killed the last enemy, a super-zombie cleric. He then returned to Neverwinter (a servant had been waiting outside to watch the camels), and sent a dispatch to report the death of all hands - Agents Zeta, Xi, and the rest.

That report came in a week ago, and Solon Delta has been working this week to recruit and hire the rest of you. 
 Spoiler: Storytelling 
If it matters, Solon Delta's telling of the story was masterful with a  37  on Perform (oratory).
 
  
"... and that is where we are now. Mind you, everything related to the final bit about the deaths and even Agent Zeta's leaving a child behind and acting disreputably is not my report. That comes from this so-called 'Scion of Neverwinter' ... specifically from his High Priest of Desna in this Neverwinter place.

"My suspicion is much darker. That the remaining energies in the mask that he stole off the bodies of our fallen like a corbie have had an effect on him, corrupting him, and that the party may have run afoul of some of what happened, but that he was magically a sole survivor that completely obliterated everyone else? I'm not saying it can't be ... but I'm not buying it. Dark cultists of darker gods have often used symbols of good deities to pretend to work their will and even seem to do good, only for the hammer to fall later. Trust me, I'm from Ustalav where darkness moves so openly so frequently, that when you see something of the light you don't question it, and there are those who are the worse for it."  
deathknell609
 In a dark corner of the room stands a woman a little over 6 feet tall with black hair. When you can see her face under her hood, you can see her amber eyes and you can tell by her complexion that she is a Keleshyte. She is covered in sandy colored clothes; most likely for camouflage in this desert environment. On her back is a short bow and her hip is a rapier. She looks out upon the others present, keeping to herself and observing as she waits. 
Qazgir
A short Oread woman sits across from Solon, her bearing is that of a long time professional soldier. Her robe and keffiyeh are the yellow-orange color of the sun and a simple iron crown adorns her head, a tower shield and earthbreaker have been leaned against the wall behind her chair. She waits a moment once he has finished speaking before saying   "that is quite the story. If indeed the Scion has been corrupted by the mask, are we to attempt to retrieve it?     What are the next steps you are proposing if not?    "  
lostsole31
The solon nods and continues,   "Out there in the waiting room right now is his high priest, waiting to guide you back to Neverwinter. From there, you'll escort this Scion back to the Sightless Sphinx. I know that he's got some deal with Erayu of the maftets to try and bring in Userib and his disciples, but don't waste your lives trying to play nice. That is  his  mission, not yours. The instant it becomes too hot to handle, bring the pain. Clear out and break the power of the demon lord Areshkagal as much as possible. Take the treasures you can, and then quit the sphinx once that is done."

   And here the solon's face darkens some.    "I have been in contact with one of the pharaoh's agents on this matter. Our agents have died by the bucketful on his whole mess. The mask is not the prize of an opportunistic grave robber. The Ruby Prince's point-man on this doesn't want such a powerful artifact in the hands of a tribal warlord, but is to make its way back here - quietly - where agents of the pharaonic court will retrieve it upon contact and the stored away.

"Let me reiterate, the mask is to make it back here. It makes your job easier if the Scion has been corrupted, but the mission's objective does not change based on intentions or desires of the man. Diplomacy, a sense of duty .... even violence as a last resort ... but that mask is too dangerous to be out in the open. You return with that mask, and without somebody wearing it. Use the time spent clearing the Sightless Sphinx to get a better understanding of this man - the pharaoh's man wants more information on that as well - and to make whatever approach or preparations needed for this job. The court's agent has promised a more than equitable award for both the clearance of the Sightless Sphinx and delivery of the mask. If it eases your conscience, remember that the Scion robbed our fallen agents.

"Is that clear?"  
DrK
Ayuk has been leaning against a wall, his catlike frame with short fur lean and thin as he had been standing softly, a hand running along the back of the armoured lion that lies by his feet. As Solon finishes he nods.   "A worrying tale. One that does not bode well for the sands here, we must help here if we can to avoid more of these dark pulses that could affect our fair city here."   THe feline stretches, a set of claws glinting faintly to match the pair of kukris tucked into his belt.   "Just let us know where we must go."   
lostsole31
Solon Delta blinks at Agent Kappa, not sure where to begin, but then nods and turns to the rest of the group ... the rest that hopefully listened to what he was saying about where to go and what to do.
XierSR
A tall Tian-Shu man rises from his seat, murmuring a short prayer to a Desnan medallion before tucking it underneath the chest piece of his mountain pattern armor.   "If this Scion is simply using Her name as some sort of insidious front, as suspected, that is certainly troubling."   His voice barely above a whisper, making it difficult to tell whether he intended his words to be heard or not. He nods to the Solon as he readjusts a sheathed greatsword across his back. He walks to the door, looking around the room.   "Going to Neverwinter. Scion's head priest in the waiting room....waiting for us."   He smiles sheepishly, his eyes flitting to the side. After a moment, he looks back at the Solon.   "I believe I understand the task at hand."   
DrK
Ayuk’s mixed eyes open a little wider at the “dying by the bucketful”. With his soft slurring voice he asks quietly,   ”do we have any idea of what manners of danger lurk within the Sightless Sphinx?”  
lostsole31
Solon Delta shakes his head.   "We know what  did  exist, but not what  still  exists ... besides the aforementioned demon-worshiping maftets, of course."  
deathknell609
From the dark corner, the woman shifts and steps closer to the others, speaking after having been standing aside and listening to the others for some time. Her voice is raspy and raw, as if she had an extremely sore throat, and barely reaching above a whisper. Despite her appearing Kelisyte, her accent marks her as being from Ustalav,   "It sounds like a straight forward mission, more or less..."   she pauses, touching her throat and grimacing,   "and if the walking dead are destroyed in the process, all the better."   She glanced at the other members of the group.   "Since we are going to need to work together,"   she pauses to grimace and touch her throat again,   "it would be far easier if I could connect us via a mental link. It would allow us to communicate in secret from the rest of the world and,"   she grimaces,   "and to heal you when needed."  
lostsole31
Solon Delta ushers you to the door of his office,   "And you can do that later, but not use my office as a hello and how are you. Meet your contact in the waiting room. Deal with that stuff on the move. Good luck, agents."  
Qazgir
Ryka rises from her seat, nodding to Solon Delta and gathering her gear. She turns to face the rest of the party, saying   “come on soldiers, we don’t have all day,”   before walking to the waiting room.
DrK
At the curt dismissal Ayuk’s mismatched eyes narrow before they gracefully straighten up and stalk from the room followed by their barded battle lion, a shake of their head at the unknown dangers that they were going to now face
lostsole31
Waiting for the heroes in the waiting room, as was foretold by prophecy (or, just, told by your boss), is a man who stands upon the agents coming into the room. He is a tall Northman with snow-white hair and beard and eyes as green as the sea. He is solidly built, as one would expect from these relatively giant foreigners. Despite the white hair, he only possesses the mildest hints of age, and might not yet even be middle-aged, but is surely in his early thirties, at least.

He wears a beautiful breastplate with pauldrons, and carries a helmet ins his hand. Over his breastplate he wears a white-with-blue-trim priest's cassock that is rife with Desnan imagery .... the butterfly symbol, of course, but other imagery and iconography as well. His only visible weaponry his a silver-tipped, soft-brown wooden staff. A radiance is emitted from the staff's metallic end and flickers as with flame. He possesses several other accoutrements that lead little doubt as to his profession as a holy man of the Goddess of Luck and Travel.

  "The Lady of Butterflies be praised that our travels should be with such fine-looking companions,"   he says with a powerful, baritone voice and a foreign inflection before giving a slight bow.   "I am Norbert, High Priest of Desna in Neverwinter, and servant of the Scion of the same. And it is my joy that I shall accompany you in most expedient manner to Neverwinter. Tell me, do any of know if you get teleportation sickness? It happens with some folks, you know, and I would want a person part of the circle to be facing outwards and slightly bent over, if you know what I mean, right? HAHAHAHAH! Besides,  prestidigitation  - assuming one of you types has that - doesn't do well with large chunks, just the small stuff."  
DrK
Ayuk in the waiting room, tail still flicking somewhat in an angry manner cannot held but  smile and laugh as they meet their babbling companion.   Well met, I am Ayuk its nice to meet you   he adds,   "To my knowledge neither me nor my travelling companion offer the teleportation sickness "  
lostsole31
Norbert leads the party through the streets of Wati and to the west of town, rather than north to the riverfront.

  "So, here is what needs to happen. I can only bring along four of you,"   Norbert explains.   "And your large cat counts as two people.  That's all I can do in a day. After that, I seek out a friend's help who is more fluid with her teleportation than myself and she will teleport here and back with the remainder.  Those left behind to wait might wait several minutes while I provide a quick report and find her, and I am teleporting outside the gates instead of within so as not to cause a furor.

"So? Which four or 2-and-Big am I taking before the relief pitcher comes along?"  
Qazgir
Ryka steps forward,   "I will go with the first group."  
XierSR
Amosis raises his hand,   "As will I."  
lostsole31
  "In that case,"   says Norbert,   "our feline friends will both go in the second group."  

He looks to Agent Xi.   "Will you go with the first or second group?"  
DrK
Ayuk tickles the giant cat under the chin as it rolls over   "You are too big, even if I make you small we are two groups.... Very well."   he adds to the others,   "I can wait with my lovely here."   THe massive lion purrs happily and stretches out on the floor, hap to wait as Ayuk crouches down on his haunches beside it.
deathknell609
Agent Xi will speak, her voice hardly above a whisper.   "I am patient. I can go with the second group."  
lostsole31
Norbert gathers the first two volunteers. He gives a prayer to Desna in an unknowable language and touches Agents Rho and Sigma, and all three disappear.

 
 Rho and Sigma ... 
 
 Spoiler: Rho and Sigma 
You appear in a much hotter climate in front of two great doors to a desert stronghold, each of you on either side of Norbert. An alarm is called on the wall, quickly dissipating as Norbert is recognized.  A minute goes by and the keep doors open and a massive, demonic woman some 15' tall steps out. She wears a breastplate and has a scimitar at the side striding out to the strangers.

What do you do?
 
Qazgir
Ryka takes a moment to grant Ra's protection to Agent Sigma, she then addresses the demonic woman,   "greeting, I am Agent Rho of the Wati Fraternity of the Epsilon Elite Mercenary Company."


   
 Spoiler: Action! 

Free Action: Grant Summerproofing to Agent Sigma. When the other agents appear grant them the same protection.
 
XierSR
Amosis takes a moment to assess the demonic woman before speaking,   "Sigma, of the same."  
lostsole31
 Rho &amp; Sigma 

The woman is about 15' tall, with a step on the sand that is probably somewhere in the nature of about 1-1/2 tons in weight. She wears light robes of a soft green, trimmed in burgundy and gold, though with a balanced cuirass. She speaks in an eloquent voice, but with a deeper rasp at the edges,   "I am Aaminah bint Kadriye bint Rajiya bint Sherazi, Vizier to the Scion of Neverwinter.  Please wait here with High Priest Norbert while I fetch your fellows at the prearranged rendezvous place. You are not to attempt to enter Neverwinter until I have returned."  

 

 Kappa &amp; Xi 

Elsewhere, outside Wati, the same woman suddenly appears, looming large over the rest of group.

  "Desna's peace be upon you, travelers, I am Aaminah bint Kadriye bint Rajiya bint Sherazi, Vizier to the Scion of Neverwinter.  I will be your conveyance to the keep of Neverwinter in the Parched Dunes, to meet with your friends. Please link hands with me and each other, and the owner of the tawny lion likewise grip the armor of your pet."  

She holds out her massive hands.

 Kappa and Xi , what do you do?
XierSR
Amosis leans over and whispers (more quietly than usual) in Rho's ear,   "Were we not told that Neverwinter was taken from a group of efreet? Was an alliance between the Scion and an efreeti in the briefing?"  
DrK
 Agent Kappa/Ayuk 

The catlike figure bounds upwards as a the demonic creature appears, and a weapon is almost drawn before the massive figure speaks. Ayuk relaxes though as she speaks,   "If you will, you were not looking as I expected. If you could describe my comrades who you sholud have just met we can travel safely and in peace"    He glances to the side at Xi, with a slight shrug of consternation at the demonic creature with a massive sword.
lostsole31
 Kappa &amp; Xi 
  "Forgive me,"   she says,   "but I tend not to pay attention to people the way you might, especially as I tend to see the tops of heads. There were two of them, both small and puny. If that is not enough for you, then in the weeks it takes you to find Neverwinter, I hope the gods treat you well."  
Qazgir
Hearing Sigma's question, Ryka simply shakes her head,   "no, it did not."  
DrK
 Agent Kappa / Ayuk 

Ayuk smiles and shakes his furry head, whiskers waving slightly at the abrupt words of the demon. He whispers to the cat beside him in soft druidic, &lt;  "Yes if it proves us false you can eat it"   then nodding and switching back to a more common tongue.   "Very well then, please take this puny creature to join the others,"   as he stands ready to be teleported ny the demon but he remains wary, careful of a double cross.
deathknell609
Agent Xi eyes scan the giant woman that towers over her and Agent Kappa. After listening to the conversation between her fellow agent and the giant woman, she replies, in her raspy whisper,   "Greetings. Aaminah bint Kadriye bint Rajiya bint Sherazi, I am Agent Xi. Let us be off."   She will hold out her hands, one to the demon like woman and one to Agent Kappa.   "None of us are getting any younger."  
lostsole31
Aaminah bint Ad bint Nauseam rests her massive hands on the two agents, with the furry one's hand on the furrier, four-footed one. One of the demonic woman's many rings begins to glow brightly before suddenly you are delivered to a far hotter environment and standing in front of a keep with massive, ornate double doors ... and a rejoinder with the other agents and Norbert.

  "Before moving forward, all physical weapons - including shields - must be peace-bonded,"   says Aaminah.   "Norbert will conduct that task."  

Do any of you refuse?
DrK
 Agente Kappa/Ayuk 

Looking at the small kukris at his belt Ayuk will give a furry shrug, not many of his weapons required the steel to be effectve.   "Very well. If it must be done"    he will agree waiting on the others to also follow suit.
Qazgir
Ryka will nod and present Ra's Judgement and Bulwark of Dawn.
lostsole31
Norbert has a bag of bright blue ribbons and takes some out and ties peace bond knots on Agent Kappa's kukris.

He peace bonds Agent Rho's earth breaker and then says,   "Your beautiful tower shield will need to be hooked to your back and then peace bonded. Do you accept?"  

Meanwhile, what of Agents Sigma and Xi?
deathknell609
Agent Xi will look at the bag and nod, speaking in her raspy whisper.   "Very well."   She will present her short bow and Requiem to be peace bounded.
lostsole31
Norbert peace bonds these items, and then looks at Agent Sigma expectantly.
XierSR
Amosis wordlessly presents his greatsword and crossbow, looking somewhat resigned as he does so.
lostsole31
These items are peacebound, and the two guide you into the keep as its doors open.

A massive courtyard exists with an oasis on the southwestern corner, whereas most of the buildings of the keep are to the east. On the north-central part of the courtyard, there is a pavilion-and-throne semi-enclosure that you are taken to, walking past the eyes of many curious guards and denizens of not only the keep, but the surrounding desert area.

The massive woman Aaminah(...) speaks,   "My Lord, these are the newest members of the Epsilon Elite Mercenary Company ... Agents Kappa (and pet), Rho, Sigma and Xi.  Agents of the Epsilon Elite, this is the lord of these lands, the Scion of Neverwinter."  

The man that is on a throne that is deferred to must be tall - somewhere around six-and-a-half-feet - and wearing a fabulously ornate cuirass and secondary desert clothing, equaled only by the shield held in his grasp more as a function of state than an active defense (much like some potentates might wield an orb, rod, scepter, crook, etc.). But that is nothing compared to the immense headdress that makes reading him all but impossible. At his side is a starknife, but blacker than any you have ever seen before, almost drinking in the nearby light. Still, it is an imperfect darkness punctuated by tiny pinpricks of light that almost seem to move and swirl themselves.

The Scion of Neverwinter gives ever the slightest nod in your direction.
DrK
 Akyuk / Agent Kappa 

Ayuk had wandered through the square looking at the surrounds with some interest, their padded feet scrunching in the sands and a clawed hand clenched tight to the lion's collar to keep her friend under tight control. Ayuk  didn't think that a misbehaving lion would be welcome here. As they were presented to the Lordship the nameer will glance at his fellow agents waiting to see what level of deference they will offer.
lostsole31
  "You are all very well met,"   says the Scion, breaking the silence. He possesses a gentle power in his upper baritone speaking voice, amplified instead of muffled by the mask he wears. That quiet strength likewise bears a noble power, one enough that it makes sense that he would attract such interesting persons to his banner.   "Welcome to Neverwinter, named not just for a city near my first home, but the very truth of its name in the climate. You have the hospitality of my keep for this evening - food and entertainment to all! But first, let us discuss your travel and exploration intentions."
  
He waits for you to begin....
Qazgir
  "Well met Scion of Neverwinter. We are to travel with you to the Sightless Sphinx, where we will destroy the servants of Areshkagal"   Ryka says, as if delivering a mission briefing.
DrK
Ayuk nods in agreement, a graceful flowing bow.   ”We have heard of the dangers and wish to help in anyway we can.”   Though unsure of the armoured Scion on the throne he doesn’t feel confident to add much more than that
lostsole31
The Scion's headpiece turns to regard Agent Rho, not turning to Agent Kappa.    "Then I fear we may be at cross purposes. I do not wish to destroy the servants of Areshkagal ... if it can be helped. Erayu - the leader of a very small maftet clan - has extracted a promise from me that I seek to turn their wayward young maftets, especially the upstart leader Userib, from their dark path. To save their souls, if at all possible."  
Qazgir
Ryka raises a skeptical eyebrow,   "how do you plan on 'saving their souls'   she asks.
lostsole31
  "We will speak to their better natures,"   he answers simply,   "and if Desna guides my tongue, mayhaps they will listen."  
Qazgir
Ryka will nod although she looks skeptical,   "when will you be ready to depart"   she asks.
lostsole31
   "On the morrow,"    the Scion answers, slowly standing to his feet.

    "But tonight!"     he calls out, his voice amplified some by the mask.     "WE REVEL!"    

And at that point, the assembled crowd loses their collective BMs in applause and cheering. A feast was already in the preparatory stages, and seems to have perfectly coincided in its readiness at this point ... the timing being more uncannily accurate than serendipitous given that it is still early in the day.

There will be all manner of events going on in the vast open court of what seems to be more of a converted, fortified caravanserai than a keep. The gates are kept open, and during this time there will be many representatives of nomadic tribes - if not in some cases whole tribes themselves - who were called in for a great feat and revels.  Not only do a large group of many humans from about show, but there are stranger ones as well ... a very small contingent of shaved Pahmet dwarves from the Ouat come to pay their respects and trade, as well as a small group of desert giants.

Throughout the day, food and water will be plentiful, but also a variety of fermented spirits not readily available or served in more urban regions of Osirion. As well, there are all manner of dances, stories told, music, feats of athleticism, strength, and martial prowess, and a long line of well-wishers bringing gifts to the Scion of Neverwinter, thanking him (or Desna through him) and his companions for breaking the hold of monsters, promoting trade among the tribes, safe travel for the nomads, all while still keeping the tenuous balance of letting the Parched Dunes (north and south) remain suitably wild and free.

Understand that while the Scion will make time for some conversation with you (if desired), he is very busy doing the hobnobbing with those who have come to wish him well, and those few who bring forth troubles for his vizier to write down for future investigation.

What do each of you do in the meantime? What might catch your fancy, and are you a quiet observer or seek to show off something of your own or enter some manner of contest?
deathknell609
Agent Xi will attempt to partake in the revelry as much as she can. She will seem a bit shy at first, but will try and warm up to the crowd. She will drink sparingly and only the lightest of alcoholic beverages and if there are any events that require dexterity and knowledge that are particular to her talents, she will attempt them. She will also look for any female that she might find attractive, though she is not particularly attracted to the dwarves nor any giants. Her raspy and whispered voice may make it difficult for her to catch any interest and may make it difficult for her to be heard over the revelry in the room. If she cannot gain interest, either through conversation, skilled deeds, knowledge, or those female that might be attracted to her, she may simply move to a seat in the corner and sit quietly as she watches the crowd, eating and sipping whatever drink she finds, pausing only to stand up and get more food and drink, and water to help lighten the effect of alcohol on her.
Qazgir
Ryka will take a seat somewhere she can observe the festivities, making polite but stilted small talk to anyone who approaches her. She will drink steadily until she becomes tipsy, at which point she will enter any contest of strength or endurance available.
XierSR
Amosis will attend anything that catches his interest as an observer, which will likely be storytellers and anything else that might help him build up his knowledge base of the local cultures and area. He will staunchly avoid alcohol, but will be sure to indulge in any other foodstuffs.

Early on, he will try to get Xi's attention.
lostsole31
 
 Originally Posted by deathknell609 
 Agent Xi ... [skirt chasing] ... 
 

Agent Xi has no luck finding female companionship.

That said, it appears Agent Sigma is trying to get Agent Xi's attention.

 
 Originally Posted by Qazgir 
 [Agent Rho] will take a seat somewhere she can observe the festivities, making polite but stilted small talk to anyone who approaches her. She will drink steadily until she becomes tipsy, at which point she will enter any contest of strength or endurance available. 
 

Tipsy-Rho will see there is a contest of strength where the current winner is a desert giant chieftain's son. This is just raw strength, not another contest, done just like arm wrestling. Does she compete?

 
 Originally Posted by XierSR 
 [Agent Sigma] will attend anything that catches his interest as an observer, which will likely be storytellers and anything else that might help him build up his knowledge base of the local cultures and area. 
 

There IS a storyteller, actually. It is a golden-skinned man whose four limbs seem to be wracked by the four elements. He is the Khwaja 1  Malak, and he is a master storyteller.

Agent Xi does not appear to be paying attention to Agent Sigma.

 
 1  = "Khwaja" is a title equating to "Master" or "Scholar."
DrK
 Ayuk/Agent Kappa 

The furred Agent Kappa slinks to the edges of the party and the feast. Stealing some solid chunks of meat he can tuck, crouched down on his haunches in the corner beside the lion that also enjoys the meat, licking sauce off his claws and paws. Looking for one his colleagues he'll raise a glass (of fruit juice) to them in a wry salute as he surveys the feast with his mismatched eyes.
Qazgir
Ryka will walk up to the giant chieftain's son. As she approaches him, she speaks louder than necessary,   "I'll be your next challenger, for Ra is with me!"  
lostsole31
It will have to be a push-hands type of arm-wrestle, as his hands are so massive.

Agent Rho, please roll a STR check.
Qazgir
When the contest begins, Ryka pushes with all her might.

 
 Spoiler: Action! 

Strength Check:  (1d20+8)[ 21 ] 
 
lostsole31
Agent Rho is impressive indeed ... for a human ... but mamdus still handily puts her hand over and flat-back against the stone slab.  Cheers erupt, but Mamdus nods with a big smile,  "I've never met a human with your strength! Come ... drink fermented goat's milk with us! Let us see your ability to handle drink!" 
Qazgir
Taking a moment to steady herself, Ryka will nod,   "I'd appreciate another drink right now, why not try fermented goats milk."  
lostsole31
    Oathday, 8 Gozran 4715 AR (Waning Gibbous)    

The next morning, Agent Rho wakes up with a hangover!  The others wake up as well.

Do any of you prepare anything different for your morning routine? 
 Spoiler: OOC 
What that means, as not all of you have played with me in pbp before ... simply put, if you do any type of preparations or choices, do you change your current lineup .. of spells, maneuvers prepared, veils shaped, etc.
 

Since this is everyone's first time being together when doing morning preparations, please describe what you do. 
 Spoiler: OOC: Morning Preparations 
Because of gestalt, instead of taking a full hour for  some  classes, I state that ALL classes require 30 min of preparation per class.  This means that a person with just two classes - one on each side of gestalt - spends an hour. Someone multiclassing or with a PrC adds another 30 min, and so on, to a maximum of 2 hours/ morning.
 
deathknell609
Agent Xi will wake up in the morning at dawn. She will wash, (if made available), and take a moment to say a quick prayer to Pharasma. After that, she will take the time to meditate and focus her mind to rejuvenate her mental power and provide focus. For the first half hour, she will focus on the nature of the universe and how all things are made of much smaller particles that are bound together and how to separate them. She will follow that up with a half hour focusing her mind on how to mend those particles back together again. After this, she will dress and put her equipment back on, ensuring that her weapons are still peace bound. After another quick prayer to Pharasma and a quick check to ensure that she didn't leave anything behind, she will leave the room and head to whatever location (main hall, dining room, etc) that she is supposed to meet everyone. If no one is present, she will take a seat and wait patiently for the others to rise.
Qazgir
Ryka will stumble out of bed, trying to find some source of water to dunk her head into. Once she, hopefully, get a clearer head, get dressed and exit the building carrying Ra's Judgement and Bulwark of Dawn, finding a spot without any shade to stand in. Once there, she will spend thirty minutes meditating on the nature of Ra's light, before spending thirty more minutes performing martial drills as the inspirations strikes her. Once finished, she will return to her room, get into her armor, and go looking for the morning meal.

 
 Spoiler: Action! 

No Changes to Ryka's Loadout.
 
XierSR
Amosis wakes, washes, then spends the next thirty minutes reading from his tomes and brainstorming his next academic paper. After this, he dresses and equips himself, spends another thirty minutes going through various Aspenthari martial exercises. Once all of this is finished, he checks to make sure he has everything he needs, and heads to find the rest of the group.
lostsole31
Agent Kappa had gone outside the confines of the oversized caravanserai called a "keep" to conduct his morning routine.

After a sturdy but tasty breakfast is served, the Scion asks,   "Do you of the Epsilon Elite seek to move directly to the Sightless Sphinx, or are you still exploring the Parched Dunes on your way?"  
Qazgir
Ryka takes a moment, recalling Solon Delta's briefing, before responding   "the former, our goal lies within the Sphinx, so there is no need to waste time elsewhere."  
lostsole31
  "What  is  your goal, exactly, Agent of the Epsilons?"   asks Vizier Aaminah with a sharp tone.

  "Ahhh, too direct, Aaminah,"   clucks Norbert, more comforting than matching in demeanor. He turns to the EEMC.   "Forgive my beloved's candor, her question is not misplaced, only perhaps her suspicious nature dealing with humanoids from ostensibly civilized places that still think that capturing a noble efreet is the fastest way to wealth and power.

"But to her question, yes, so that we are accidentally at cross purposes, what objectives do you seek to meet at the Sightless Sphinx?"  
Qazgir
  "We are to break the power of the Areshkegal"   Ryka says.
lostsole31
  "To that end, you may leave anything here that you feel will hinder you,"   says the Scion,   "but we shall be off presently as soon as you are ready."  

Does anyone want to leave anything behind, and are you ready to go?
Qazgir
Ryka nods,   "let us be off with haste then."
  
 
 Spoiler: Action! 

Ryka won't leave anything behind, and is ready to go
 
deathknell609
Agent Xi will get to her feet and reply in her quiet voice, "I have nothing I would leave behind. I try to be prepared to move at any time."

 
 Spoiler: Action 
 Nothing to leave behind
 
XierSR
Amosis nods,   "I am prepared."

    
 Spoiler: Action 
Nothing to leave behind.
 
 
lostsole31
Agent Kappa intends to stay behind in reserve for now in Neverwinter to aid the strange shabti that will run administer the area during the Scion's absence.

Norbert and Aaminah will split up the load and teleport to the Sightless Sphinx.

 
 
 
 
 

A wide avenue leads up to a colossal statue of a seated sphinx. Though the sphinx’s sloped shoulders, powerful leonine body, and clawed limbs were skillfully crafted, its face is an obliterated and jagged mass of stone. The scouring force of erosion seems absent here; a deliberate rawness has been infused in the degraded face, a tormented, almost malicious devastation that gives the still figure an ominous aura. Huge paving stones might once have formed a path to the statue, but now a carpet of sand blows across the broken slabs. Two rows of smaller sphinx statues, their faces flat and featureless, blindly gaze at each other across the avenue from atop stone pedestals. A ring of heavy stone blocks encircles the large sphinx beyond the avenue, a rough perimeter marred by frequent gaps and missing stones.

Norbert magically calls forth a unicorn and mounts it.
 
 Spoiler: Understanding the Map 
These are  30-foot  squares!
 
Qazgir
Ryka draws Ra's Judgement and Bulwark of the Sun, and releases her hold on Ra's might and reshaping its flow through her. She turns to address the rest of the group,   "Norbert, can you and your mount take the lead as we approach the Pyramid? I will follow behind you. Scion, it would be preferable if you direct us, as you have already been here. Decide the rest of our marching order amongst yourselves."
  
 
 Spoiler: Action! 

Ryka unsuppresses The Sweltering and invest her essence as follows:
5 into Circlet of Brass
3 into Storm Lash
2 into The Sweltering
2 into Brume Treads
2 into Shaitan's Earthen Armor
 
lostsole31
  "That's fine,"   says the Scion,   "and it is always good in case something changes. But we should be good to the entrance, and I will tell you how to make it through."  

Does anyone have anything particular they want to do out here, or are you fine with moving right to the entrance?
lostsole31
With Norbert flying about on his magically-summoned alicorn to keep a wider look for disturbances from the sands, the group makes it down the long avenue up to the Sightless Sphinx.

Within the large standing stones encircling the Sightless Sphinx, a vast, dark shadow stretches across the sand north and east of the sphinx. Based on the position of the sun overhead, the monolithic statue should cast a shadow in a completely different area, one that is fully illuminated in sunlight. Even more strangely, the patch of darkness remains constant as the sun moves across the sky. Four pavilion tents painted with red and gold swirls sit within the shadow.

  "Those are abandoned tents from the Cult of the Forgotten Pharaoh that we routed,"   explains the Scion.   "Centuries ago, the cultists of Areshkagal who erected the Sphinx thinned the boundaries between the Material Plane and the Shadow Plane in this area, creating a magical portal that allowed creatures to easily travel between the two planes. During the battle with the templars of Sarenrae, the portal was destroyed, but the resulting magical backlash locked the shadow of the Sightless Sphinx in place, creating this area of permanent shade that never moves, regardless of the sun’s position in the sky. As a result, this area remains pleasant and cool, even in the blazing heat of afternoon."  

A broad path leads between the outstretched forelimbs of the giant statue, one of which has collapsed into a towering heap of rubble. At this close proximity, the sphinx looms like a mountain above, its featureless visage staring blindly out into the desert. A set of double doors, made of the same dun-colored sandstone as the sphinx itself, are carved into the sphinx’s chest. Inlaid hieroglyphs of ivory and lapis lazuli on the doors catch what little light makes its way into the shadowed avenue.

The Scion asks,   "Do we treat this as our never having been here before, or nod to expediency?"  
Qazgir
Ryka shakes her head,   "is there some reason for you to take up such a presence? We all have a purpose in coming here, let us not delay its completion unnecessarily."  
lostsole31
The emotionless face of the pharaonic headdress on the Scion then turns to the other agents of the EEMC ....
lostsole31
Agents Rho and Sigma don't reply and the Scion nods.   "Very well."  

He then gestures to the entryway.   "The doors are sealed with an arcane lock ... a powerful one, and likely trapped for those that do not know the sequence based on the symbols.

"Please note that the hieroglyphs are loosely set in the doors. The hieroglyphs act as 'buttons' to open the doors, provided the correct combination is known. The hieroglyphs are Ancient Osiriani representations of Golarion’s solar system, with symbols of the following 12 planets: Aballon, Castrovel, Golarion, Akiton, Verces, the Diaspora, Eox, Triaxus, Liavara, Bretheda, Apostae, and Aucturn."  

He then gestures more broadly to the structure. The imposing statue of the Sightless Sphinx is over 600' long and rises almost 200' high. The Sphinx’s walls are made of 2-foot-thick stone blocks. The blocks are not mortared in place, but have been formed so smoothly and laid together so perfectly that they have almost fused together over the years from the weight of the structure.   "The Sightless Sphinx is a representation of Areshkagal, the demon lord of greed, portals, and riddles. Once the hieroglyphics representing the planets and Areshkagal were identified, it was simple to work out which buttons to press to open the door by knowing which planets are associated with Areshkagal’s areas of concern.  Eox represents greed, Castrovel represents portals, and Aucturn represents riddles. Pressing the hieroglyphs representing those three planets bypasses the trap and opens the doors; not doing so would likely be doom."  

Norbert dismisses Nora to whatever plane he retrieves her from. He then  prays to Desna and casts a spell on his armor, providing a cool, blue  light.

The Scion presses the appropriate hieroglyph-buttons and steps back for the three EEMC members to watch the two massive doors open to reveal the space beyond ... the interior of the Sightless Sphinx. A grand entrance hall stretches forth beyond the double doors. Flames flicker atop ten-foot-tall stone pillars marked with graven eyes, filling the hall with rippling shadows. Though an aura of ancient stillness hangs in the room, the smooth stone floor shows no dust or marks of age. Woven reed curtains cover the walls to the north and south. In the center of the room, a white stone statue of a six-legged, faceless sphinx with dragon wings and a viper tail, its face a reflection of the jagged visage outside, faces the front doors from atop a stone pedestal.

  "How do you wish to do this, Epsilons?"   asks the Scion.   "Does your group have an official marching order before mixing my people into the mix? Do you have a trap-checking or door-opening protocol? I can lead you to the next site, but that doesn't mean that the denizens haven't shored up defenses since then."  
Qazgir
Ryka turns to the group, addressing them,   "If Aaminah agrees, I will take the front position, otherwise I will follow just behind her. Both of you,"   she points to Agents Sigma and Xi,   "are capable trap finders, figure out your order between yourselves."   
deathknell609
Xi will quietly speak with her raspy voice,   "I am flexible with what I can do. I can honestly say, without hubris, that I am very capable of locating and disarming traps. I am capable on the front lines if need be, but not very resilient. I am also capable of connecting us through a mental network, though everyone would need to be willing to allow me to connect you, up to a total of six individual minds plus myself. Finally I can provide healing to the group and redirect healing if needed, but you would need to be part of the mental connection in order for me to do so. My main strength in combat is at short range from the enemy."  
lostsole31
  "Then Agent Xi should be in the front for safety checks, yes,"   says the Scion.

  "This mental power of yours ... when you say 'plus yourself,' does that mean six total ... yourself included? or, does it mean six minds PLUS you ... seven total? If the latter, it seems like you can touch all of our minds, and I will not deny a resource, personally."  
deathknell609
Agent Xi will reply in her soft tone,   "Six individuals and me would make seven."  
lostsole31
  "That sounds reasonable,"   he replies, and he and the others ready themselves for some type of incoming .... something.
deathknell609
Agent Xi will look over the other party members and once she is sure everyone will comply with the request, she will allow her mind to reach out to those others around her. A few moments pass and everyone can feel another presence touch their minds and then...contact. A brief moment of jumbled thoughts pass and then a mental silence followed by the soft, soothing, though child like mental voice of Agent Xi.    "Oh, thank Pharasma, I was getting tired of speaking out loud to everyone, it is such a strain on my vocal cords. Ahem. Testing, testing, 1, 2, skip a few, 99, 100. Oh wow, this is so much better. I can talk to you, you can talk to me. No one else can hear us. I can share thoughts and feeling, or that one time when I stole the licorice sticks from Father Elmands candy jar without him knowing. They were great. Anyway, hello, can you hear me?     After the tirade of mental words, there is nothing but silence and the slight sense of a presence in your head, letting you know that you are still connected, plus whatever normal sounds you can hear.