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.

A Gathering of Lions

The Half-Dead City

Session 1 Part 1

Roll Call:

Visceral, a broad-shouldered, half-orc Dark Knight who wields a wicked orcish double-ax

Tabitha Gale, a slight, young human Musket Master from across the sea
Katakama Iga-Ryu, an exiled Ninja from Tian Xia
Xavos Darksun, a half-elven Summoner from Varisia
Rogan Josh, a frail, dark-skinned human Oracle of Time 

The Mighty Ebon Lions
by bcpstudio

It was a dry, sun-soaked day in late Desnus when the Mighty Ebon Lions stepped off the merchant cog the Sunset Empires and into the bustling Osirion city of Wati. The ship's captain Eton Shadwicke, a short Varisian with a face like a bulldog led them through the throngs of people in the dusty streets of the Veins to the cool confines of the Tooth and Hookah, a local inn and watering hole.

When they arrived, Shadwicke quickly made himself comfortable on a soft satin pillow, wiped his sweaty jowls with a kerchief, and ordered a decanter of pomegranate wine from a dusky young woman in a white linen dress. Shadwicke then informed the group that they had the rest of the day to buy supplies and prepare for their descent into the necropolis the next morning. He also let slip that he would be much appreciative if they would allow him to purchase from them any Osirion artifacts of historical significance they might find on their expeditions.

The next morning, the Mighty Ebon Lions stood shoulder to shoulder beneath the rune-engraved walls of Wati’s necropolis with no less than 20 other bands of sellswords, mercenaries, and intrepid scholars looking to plumb its depths. Merchants, craftsmen, entertainers, and other city-dwellers had gathered in huge droves as well, giving the whole ceremony a festival-like atmosphere.

Beneath the walls, a wooden dais was erected with a wide awning above it. Sebti the Crocodile, a stern-looking high priestess of Pharasma with bluish lips and a purple-hooded robe sat on the dais. Flanking the high priestess were two servants in white linen dresses. At the front of the dais stood Ptemenib, another priest in the service of the Lady of Graves, sweat glistening off his shaven pate even at this early hour.

As the crowd watched in anticipation, Ptemenib drew a coin from a leather sack and called out “The Dog Soldiers”. After a brief bit of commotion, a drunken halfling parted the crowd and stumbled forward. Ptemenib drew another coin from a different sack and whispered the location the Dog Soldiers were given to investigate. The doors of the necropolis creaked open and The Dog Soldiers, a group of rowdy halflings with ill-tempered war dogs strode into the necropolis.

The process was repeated, and Velriana Hypaxes, the leader of a group called the Scorched Hand was called next. She was a dour, slender woman in a wide-brimmed hat, who wore a holy symbol of Nethys around her neck. She strode up to the dais and in turn was given the location of their first investigation. There was a brief argument on the dais – no one could tell about what – before Velrianna stormed down off the dais and led her company through the yawning gates into the necropolis.

Once again, Ptemenib reached into the leather sack and pulled out a coin. In his strong, clear voice he called out the Mighty Ebon Lions. Rogan Josh ascended the dais, leaning heavily on his staff, his weak legs wobbling feebly beneath him.

“A bit sickly to be entertaining a trip into the tombs, aren’t you?” asked Ptemenib.

“In time, we all grow weak and feeble. Those of us so cursed at an early age are free to contemplate the mysteries of life that are beyond the physical,” replied the oracle.

“As you wish,” Ptemenib responded. “Take your band to the Tomb of Akhentepi. It is clearly marked on the map. Whatever discoveries you should make, the church would be most grateful if you shared them with us. Particularly those of a historical nature.”

Rogan Josh nodded to indicate he understood, but did not respond. He gathered himself and re-joined the party. As the gates once again crept open, the Mighty Ebon Lions strode valiantly through and into the necropolis, leaving the world of the living behind.