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Post by Killer_DM on Jun 18, 2016 9:54:16 GMT -6
After another six hours of uneventful evening travel through the grey desert, the intrepid band noticed the dunes growing bigger as their trail grew fainter. By sunrise, the trail had all but vanished. On top of a short dune before them, a stone statue could be seen peeking through the sand. From here they could see a noble face, marked by sand and time. It clutched something in it's hand, only half revealed by the grey earth.
They were at the base of the dune, perhaps 50 feet away from the statue. The sky was clear, promising another wickedly hot day as the sun rose to their backs.
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Post by kevinpc on Jun 18, 2016 10:11:45 GMT -6
"Perhaps we should exercise some caution here. Legend only knows when the curse fell upon this ancient place, and WHERE exactly," Baal cautioned his newfound protectors.
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Saskia
Junior Member
Posts: 77
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Post by Saskia on Jun 18, 2016 13:11:54 GMT -6
"I do not fear curses," Saskia said as she dropped to the ground off her mount. "We should try to find a place to rest," she said and began to make her way up the mound.
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Post by alfbern on Jun 18, 2016 14:18:52 GMT -6
Alfbern hopped down from his camel as well and trailed behind his sister with his bow at the ready. Once they were out of earshot he said in their tongue, "He already thinks you are an impressive druid. Maybe you could make one friend?"
Alfbern was smiling broadly though his eyes were wary and scanned for danger as they trudged up the dune.
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Post by Killer_DM on Jun 18, 2016 15:26:54 GMT -6
A top the dune sat the buried statue. The object in it's hand was partially buried as well and looked to be an open book with writing. They would have to clear the sand a bit to be able to attempt to read any script.
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Post by thirtylives on Jun 18, 2016 17:05:15 GMT -6
Having ridden the past hours trying to figure out who and what their new Dwarven companion was, Bit stayed mounted and next to the dwarf while the elves scouted ahead.
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Saskia
Junior Member
Posts: 77
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Post by Saskia on Jun 18, 2016 20:53:51 GMT -6
Saskia looked past the statue, to the landscape beyond. Was there any sign of this garden? Any terrain out there that looked suitable for camping?
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Post by Thorsan on Jun 18, 2016 21:32:35 GMT -6
Thorsan was glad for a chance to get off the camels, he turned his camel out of the line, dismounted and trudged up towards the statue. He didn't think it looked Dwarven, but looking at words he didn't understand was better than looking at the next camels butt for another 15 minutes while the others barged about. Also, he did know a thing or two about stonework and might notice something about it that the others wouldn't.
[inspecting the statue, stone book, stonework in general]
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Post by kevinpc on Jun 19, 2016 12:50:18 GMT -6
The wanderer-druid pondered the stories of local legend concerning the curse that fell upon the old city-state that once surrounded the pyramid. He supposed it was likely not limited to the pyramid itself, but like a plague upon the region. A plague that unbalanced the land and it's inhabitants. A plague that challenged Baal and his protectors to vanquish it from this place. He wondered if they would be ready to face it.
He would not have to wonder for much longer. Atop a short dune was rested the top of a stone statue. Baal dismounted his camel and approached only to find Saskia, Alfbern and Thorsan already inspecting the head of what was left of the statue.
"We should not dig too deeply Master Dwarf before learning if there is any magic--curse or otherwise--touching this statue," Baal placed his hand gently upon Thorsan's armored shoulder piece.
"Perhaps you could commune with Enki once again," Baal looked to Saskia.
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Saskia
Junior Member
Posts: 77
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Post by Saskia on Jun 19, 2016 13:59:14 GMT -6
"Perhaps I could," Saskia echoed. There was some wisdom in Baal's caution, so she performed the rite.
((Detect Magic.))
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Post by alfbern on Jun 19, 2016 14:07:11 GMT -6
Alfbern just stood calmly and watchfully. He took the time to use his sense of direction so that he could figure out which direction the trail would continue had it not disappeared.
((Direction Sense))
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Post by Killer_DM on Jun 19, 2016 21:03:42 GMT -6
No magic emanated from the statue. Saskia noticed that Baal's spear and his single ring radiated moderate dweomers.
Alfbern figured that if there was a trail, it would continue over the dune past the statue. The sand here climbed into greater sized dunes than they had been traveling.
Baal eyed the statue considering if they were going to uncover more of the tablet to read...
Arristuun, Zacklun, Galatea, Taliesin, Lucky & an unconscious dwarf and the camels stayed towards the base of the dune as it was not as easy to herd the animals up the larger sand hill.
Thorsan finally arrived to the top of the dune to inspect the statue (due to his short legs) and he blanched white. His legs could detect tremors in stone not far beneath the sand, similar to a rockslide deadfall in the tunnels he once called home...
"AAAAAAAAIIIIIIIIIIEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!"
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Post by Killer_DM on Jun 19, 2016 21:06:31 GMT -6
Thump! Thump! Thump!
[Plop!]
Ughhhh...
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Post by Killer_DM on Jun 19, 2016 21:23:43 GMT -6
Baal, Saskia, Alfbern & Thorsan tumbled through a hole, a thirty foot drop onto a soft sand dune [Everyone take 6 damage].
From there they slid an additional 70 feet onto a stone floor. They could see a 100 foot tall fitted stone dome above them, and a flagstone floor spilling before them after the huge sand pile they landed on and then slid down. The entire area slants to the southeast, lit only by the hole they left above. Sifted dust and sand have spilled into the vast chamber where the dome has crumbled on the southwest side. On the west, a darkly stained dome leans on top of a building that rises majestically from the sand. Partially eroded stairs lead up to a rubble strewn platform.
The other party members could only see their friends vanish in a cloud of sand & dust.
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Post by scottenkainen on Jun 19, 2016 22:09:18 GMT -6
"Saskia! Alfbern!" Arristuun shouted as loud as he could. "Thorsan!" He listened to see if he could hear anything from them through the cloud of sand and dust.
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