Death Stalks the Canny Jackal

Empty Graves

Session 5

Roll Call:

Visceral, a broad-shouldered, half-orc Dark Knight who wields a wicked orcish double-ax (4th level)
Katakama Iga-Ryu, an exiled Ninja from Tian Xia (4th level)
Xavos Darksun, a half-elven Summoner from Varisia (4th level)
Rogan Josh, a frail, dark-skinned human Oracle of Time (4th level)

The rest of the week seemed to slither on by, once the Mighty Ebon Lions returned to the living city. They dropped off the living members of the Scorched Hand to the Grand Mausoleum and collected a handsome reward for their efforts. The rest of the week was spent recuperating, making arrangements for magic item purchases and generally reveling with other adventurers at the Tooth & Hookah.

At dusk on Friday, they were collected by Ptemenib, their Pharasmin guide in the city, and taken to the Canny Jackal auction house where they auctioned off much of the loot they had gained while adventuring in the Necropolis. Thanks to Rogan Josh's excellent diplomatic skill, they were able to garner a rather large windfall for their treasures and each member of the group bought some magic items.

While in the Jackal, the Mighty Ebon Lions uncovered some choice bits of rumour making its way through the city including a mention of a less than savoury group of traders known as the Silver Chain, mention of some gold masked strangers walking about the city, and the fact that the two rival noble houses - the Mahfres and the Okhentis - were at each others throats again. All this juicy gossip was absorbed while the group tasted some vintage 5,000 year old honey unearthed in one of the tombs.

As the party wound down, and the hour approached midnight, a concussive blast was felt throughout the Jackal, followed by a wave of bluish energy passing through the hall. Moments later, there was a loud banging at the door, as the servants went to see who it was, the doors burst off their hinges and 16 zombies ambled into the hall. The civilians panicked, running in all directions, but the Mighty Ebon Lions sprung into action. A judicious use of grease and burning hands spells set half of the entrance ablaze and immolated nearly half of the zombies. The fire began to spread throughout the hall however, so Rogan Josh moved to contain it, while the others began engage with the mini undead horde. Civilians continued to panic and ran into the nearby storerooms hoping to barricade themselves in.

The Mighty Lions were doing a fairly good job of cleaning up the zombies when a swarm of severed hands from the Pillar of Second Thoughts in the market piled into the hall, attempting to strangle people. At the same time, the door to one of the storerooms burst open, revealing a previously inert mummy. Waves of magical fear swept over the crowd, but all of the Mighty Ebon Lions - save for Katakama - were not affected.

Visceral's Doom
by bcpstudio

Visceral valiantly stood toe-to-toe with the mummy while Rogan Josh, a couple of summoned wolves,
and others cleaned up the scurrying severed hands. The mummy mercilessly pounded on the half-orc, cursing and diseasing him, weakening his body, but not his resolve. Unfortunately, in the end the mummy proved too much for the mighty half-orc and he was cut down by the mummy's withered and diseased hands. His heroic sacrifice however, gave the Mighty Ebon Lions enough time to rally and Katakama's attacks combined with Xavos flame spells finally brought the mummy low.

With heavy hearts the remaining members of the Mighty Ebon Lions began dragging their fallen comrade towards the Grand Mausoleum. Outside, they could see and hear that similar attacks were happening throughout the city - as a full-blown zombie apocalypse was in swing. Deftly sneaking down side-streets, the group made it to the Grand Mausoleum without incident only to find it in chaos and disarray. The clergy were completely unprepared for the assault and Sebti the Crocodile was arguing with Nephtfu Shepses - the leader of the Voices of the Spire - about how to contain the threat.

The Lions managed to get the high priestess ear for a moment and she agreed to raise the half-orc back to life for a measly 5,000gp. She then charged them with rescuing her brother from The Whispering Stone - a disreputable tavern on the outskirts of town, and then travelling to the Necropolis walls to find out the situation there.

With barely time to catch their breaths, the Mighty Ebon Lions waded out into the night determined to fulfill their new mission.