The Wayfarer's Inn

"So, do we go up the stairs, or go back to the beginning again and explore those openings around the secret tunnel?"

"I say we go back to the beginning and go in a different direction." With that, the rogue heads back.

Ivid and Elmo quietly wander after the others, their faces bland and telling about what they probably think of this new plan...

You all turn back and cross the pit once more around its edges. After you've crossed the second pit at the bottom of the stairs (OOC: I simply assume that you take Gaderon's boots again - no need to play that out each and every time), you ascend the steep stairs, cross the destroyed burial chamber and the foyer, and then enter once more the long entrance hall. (OOC: Please reread the thread The Tomb Entrance, if possible, so I don't need to repeat everything here).

The first thing you notice is the bright daylight, coming in through the tomb's entrance and nearly blinding you after the long time that you spent beneath the earth. It's accompanied by hot and dry desert air, which is fresh though and therefore a pleasure to fill your lungs with and clean them of the dust and mustiness of the tomb.

You turn towards that part of the entrance hall that you hadn't explore before and pass a second half-round alcove in the righthand wall. Kherim immediately notices an aura of evil emanating from there. It's so strong, in fact, that the paladin involuntarily moves back one or two steps. In the shadowy recess of the alcove, he can see faint etchings on the wall, images most likely. But it's too dark in there to see more...

Past that alcove, the hall turns sharply to the right and ends in an area of about 15 x 20 feet. The wall paintings and inscriptions continue here, but there are also two large, rectangular slabs of stone to be seen, perhaps doors, although there are no opening mechanisms visible. The one to the left is made of red granite, while the one ahead is made of dark green granite. Both bear the cartouche of the Set Rahotep on their central part, beneath which can be seen smaller inscriptions in ancient khemitian.


Rahotep's Tomb.JPG [ 444.66 KiB | Viewed 634 times ]

"Be wary of that recess",
Kherim almost shouts as he is pushed back by the emanation of evil that strikes him. He squints his eyes trying to understand what the shadows hide:

"There is evil in that alcove. Stronger than any I have felt here yet, if that is possible. And there seem to be some etchings, but I'd advise you against looking into them. I fear some curse, may Horus protect us."

Ahi grimly curses and says under his breath
"The depravity of our foe must not restrain us. We shall win in the end!"

He approaches the north slab and studies the writings.

Eilkhan follows Ahi and looks for a secret door, trap, surprise or something in that manner.

Kherim cannot discern much within the alcove without more light. What can be seen from the distance might be the etchings of a many-legged serpent-like monster, and next to it part of another creature that is more devilish or demonic in appearance.

Eilkhan finds no traces of traps on the slab, which is made of a dark green granite. The inscription beneath the cartouche is deciphered by Ahi as:

Break not this sealed way, for only hard work and my Curse will be the reward.

Kherim does not try to see the figures in the alcove. Instead, he goes to read the inscription on the other slab.

Warningly, he says
"I'm unsure about that recess. There may be an evil creature there, something we should destroy. But there could also be something inanimate that casts a curse on us. What is your advice?"

Sol will have his sword out and cast detect magic on the slab door from behind the others. He holds the magic hammer in his left hand.

The inscription on the red granite slab reads:

Fear the dreaded Curse of the Set Rahotep if you dare to pass beyond this place.

Tizona indicates that there's some magic on the slab.