The Wayfarer's Inn

Asterion, meanwhile, casts Detect Magic on the doorway and the hieroglyphs - then, if time permits, on the immediate area.

Kherim turns to cast perhaps a last look out over the heat rippled horizon behind them and removes his helmet to allow the wind to blow through his dark locks.  His tattooed features somber as he breathes in the arid desert air.

"Tombs are not meant for the living."  He speaks no more on that topic.

considering the Detect Magic has been cast, Ahi studies the writings looking for any of a religious significance or that might indicate the evil that lies within.

Asterion's Detect Magic spell unveils a strong magical aura upon the whole ledge, walls and pillars, but strongest on the granite slab. He cannot determine the type of magic.

While Eilkhan starts to examine the slab for traps and perhaps also for some kind of opening mechanism, Ahi and Kerim begin reading the hieroglyphs on it. They are old and worn but still readable, except for one part. They read:

The... [something indecipherable which probably refers to the name within the cartouche]... dwells within his eternal house, knowing full well the nature of men. He lies within, awaiting the fools who think to despoil what is his. No prayers will avail you hereafter, so mutter them now and be done with it! You are the funerary offerings for which I hunger and thirst... Join me.

The name in the cartouche is tesh tesher-ti Aasha Sethu Netherankh Rahotep which translates as:

A red fiend terrible Roarer (a name of Set) that is the Set Godlife Rahotep

At the moment that the name within the cartouche is read (quietly or aloud makes no difference), something suddenly forces Ahi, Eilkhan and Kerim to move back a few steps. Mist grows before the stone slab, thickens and becomes a figure of greater than human proportions and of hideously evil visage. Its eyes seem feral and gleam with lambent fire. Then this man-thing opens its huge mouth, and its fangs glitter as it speaks:

"I am the Set Rahotep!

No man was more potent when I was amongst those dwelling in the land of Khemit. In death I am greater still!

Do you not fear serpents? I am the Aapep Rahotep!
Who does not tremble before the monsters of the Duat? I am one!
Does not your flesh crawl at the sight of a terrible Wyrm? I am the Deathwyrm Rahotep!
Does your blood run cold before the face of a fiend? Know, then, that I am Rahotep the Fiend!
Who shuns not demons? Shun me, for I am the Demon Rahotep, the red devil.
And which fool listens? That one is wise!
Praise Set and the Set Rahotep, that one, and pity the rest!"

Thereafter, the mist starts to dissipate and is blown away by the warm wind.

Eilkhan's search for traps and possible mechanisms was unsuccessful.

Kherim hastily draws his great scimitar as the fiendish apparition takes form before the startled party and with his other mailed hand, grips the holy symbol of Horus which hangs from his armoured neck. "In the name of the Avenger, I command you return to your hell, dark one!" He stares resolutely at the horror and raises a brow as it begins to fade away. Slowly he lowers his rune covered blade, "Rahotep would send us a warning not to enter which is all the more reason to do so. Come my friends, let us waste no time in this deed, for though this minion of Set will attempt to delay and confuse us, we may be confidant in the knowledge we are blessed by the gods in our appointed task."

Turning now to Eilkhan, "Can you open the way?"

Eilkhan moves back from the apparition, not afraid. Having had some bad experiences with ghosts, she felt no compunction to really battle one. When it disspated she breathed a sigh of relief. Kherim's question gave her focus, and she began looking for a way to get in. Looking back she says with a wink "Of course my dear Kherim, what ever else would you expect of me, hmmmm?"

Ivid stands up, still chewing on a piece of dried meat.

"Well, that was scary... Reminds me of a place in my homeland I had to visit twice... Elmo, how was that dungeon ear Kalstrand called again? - The Tomb of Terror? - Well, something like that..."

Apparently dissatisfied with the taste of the meat, Ivid spits out what he has in his mouth and snorts, loud and somewhat brutishly.

"Oh, those undead mages are all the same, be their name Acererak or... What was it again, good Kherim?"

Eilkhan carefully searches the area around the grabite slab for possible opening mechanisms. While she does so, Gaderon notices some tiny etchings and drawings on both pillars. Looking closer, he sees small cartouches, about one square inch in size and carved in bas-relief. Each shows a glyph that corresponds to one of the following character classes: Barbarian, Bard, Cleric, Druid, Fighter, Ranger, Paladin, Thief, Monk, and also one that means "none of the above". Near the base of the pillars he notices similar cartouches for all kinds of monstrous creatures like ghouls, demons, devils and more. Between these two rows of cartouches lies an inscription in ancient khemitian hieroglyphs. Being the learned mage that he is, Gaderon is able to translate them as:

Let each who would enter freely identify his pursuit to the heart of the one within.

Eilkhan finds no opening mechanisms on or around the granite slab.