As sunset approaches, Malbar suddenly stops and cries out, pointing to the northeast. Following his gaze, you see a low hill perhaps a half a mile distant. Then, you realise that its side are too regular...its top too flat...
"The Lost City!" Malbar exclaims. "We are here!"
"It is time to see how my new companion has learned." Ayazin sends his hawk up to circle the area, and when it returns, he casts Speak with Animals to ask what it saw. Specifically, whether it saw any people or creatures in the area.
The bird flies away.
Farad checks his gear and determines that all is in place. He also pulls out his notes and makes a quick sketch. "A flat top? That where the statues are? I'd like to have a look at them before we actually enter the thing."
Squinting, you can just make out three figures that are atop the pyramid.
The falcon returns, to report that the area seems to be desolate and deserted.
Britan looks at the pyramid for a little bit "Well we can do one of three things:
1. camp now and enter in the morning being it is sunset?
2. continue to the base of the structure and camp there?
3. or go ahead and see if we can get in or send in a scout to see who the figures are?"
Tassier says, "Let's camp here and go in the morning. Whatever is there can wait till then."
Humphrey looks towards the pyramid, "Well it would be nice to know what those figures are. Can we cast invis and fly on someone to scout it out?"
Tassier says, "I can cast invisibility but I can't fly anymore."
Farad shakes his head. "I'll scout the area ethereally. While in that plane I can move as if flying."
Farad changes over to the border ethereal and heads off...
Malbar watches him fade away with a strange expression on his face.
"While Farad is gone we can scout around here and find a good spot for a base camp. We will want a defenseable area." says Kelar.
"Well let's find a good spot to camp for the night and figure out what our plan of attack is going to be in the morning," as Britan begins to look for a good spot to camp for the night.
Humphrey looks around, "Well this place here seems as good as any. We can see for aways around us and we would have high ground should we be attacked and Farad knows where this place is at."
"Can we search around for an oasis or stream? They would make better spots for a base camp," Sharone suggests. "Ayazin , perhaps your hawk could do the searching for us? "
"I will ask," Since the Speak with Animals spell should still be in effect, Ayazin asks the hawk if it saw any sources of water during its flight. If it can't remember, he'll send it up again. He also asks the wolf if it can smell any water sources nearby.
The hawk reports that there is an oasis on the east side of the city...as Malbar shakes his head and says the same thing. "We should camp near there. We can be there before dark. That is where I camped last I was here. There is a pile of boulders near it that is defensable...though all I saw when I was here last were some of the local wildlife coming to take a drink."
You set off again without waiting, making for the northeast. Malbar seems to know exactly where to go.
Before you arrive, Farad materialises again. After taking a cruise around the city, he reports that it seems to be deserted. The pyramid - like most of the city - has been partially buried in the sand. Only the uppermost 100' remain exposed. The pyramid is in the form of five steps, each 20' high. A flight of steps runs up the south side to the top, where the three figures are.
They are statues, he reports, each about 30' high. One is of a strong, bearded man, holding a balance in one hand a lightning bolt in the other. The middle statue is of a winged child with two snakes entwined about its body, holding a wand in one hand and coins in the other. The last statue is of a beautiful woman, holding a sheaf of wheat and a sword.
Of more interest to you, perhaps, is the fact that in the side of the stairs on the tier below the top, Farad spotted a secret door, held open by the decayed corpse of a hobgoblin with a crossbow bolt embedded in its chest. Through the door was darkness, and even with his abilities, Farad could see nothing of what lay within.
You continue on to the oasis. It is hidden from view from the city itself by a sand dune. It is small pond, with rushes lining its edges. At one point a flight of ancient steps runs down into the water. Farther back from the water grow bushes, grasses, and subtropical trees. Nearby is the pile of rocks that Malbar mentioned. They are tumbled together. You set up a camp there in the last rays of the setting sun.