March 4th is also mild, though a little more cloudy.
You continue your trek along the shore of the bay, heading northwards again.
At midday you notice a ruined tower to the west...poking up through the treetops in the saddle between two hills.
"That must be the target!" says Valdar, and you turn west.
By late afternoon you are there.
Al Anna consists of a broken down tower and a building - more intact than the tower. It is one storey high, and measures 80' X 180' (oriented east - west). There is a single 20' wide door in the middle of the west wall. Ancient runes are carved about the door.
It is getting dark, now.
"Can anyone read the runes on the doorway ? I will cast true seeing if no one can."
Salaam does so, and reads...
"Here rests Al Anna. Long may he gaze over the sea he loved so much in life."
Looking west, you see through the trees the Pacific Ocean, with the sun hanging low over it.
Occa says, "Anyone have detect traps? Salaam, Orlon? Well, I can have my unseen servant try to open it first."
Salaam faces the party and says, "This could be very dangerous, on my world, crypts are usually filled with mindless undead and even greater creatures similiar to our old friends, the Tempests. I still want to explore, whoever is with me, let us go." he turns and eyes the door. With his true seeing he finds no traps.
Occa says, "Yeah, that is right...we can't let those undead just sit around...they might hurt someone. I am going in...besides, if there is loot, er...I mean valuable items of historical interest, then they won't be able to use it anyway. I mean, we might find something that a museum wants...yeah, that's it...it really isn't grave robbing if we are do it for the common good." He laughs and says, "Sorry...just joking...I get carried away now and then."
"I guess that it'll be fun." comments Jesse.
Occa says to Dani, "Do you want to use the staff of illumination again if we meet undead or would you prefer to try your sword out?"
Occa casts unseen servant and has it try to open the door.
The door opens to reveal a large entrance hall (30' X 60': 20' north, 20' south, 30' east; door in east wall, 30' - 40' section as measured from the south). A barren room, the walls and ceiling are painted white. Now, the paint is dirty and the stonework is cracked. The floor is littered with bones and bits of broken crockery.
You move in and inspect, but find nothing of interest.
Occa has his servant open the east door. Beyond is a 10' wide passage, running east for 60' and then beyond the range of your lights. In the forst two 10' sections on either side are doors. Thee is another door in the 20' - 30' section of the north wall, and a fourth door in the 50' - 60' section of the north door.
On the floor of the passage are more bones, bits of armour, and what appear to be several broken and melted holy symbols...
Salaam carefully approaches the skeletons on the ground. No traps are set off, so he examines the bodies for cause of death. It is almost impossible to determine that, though, as they now consist of little more than bones...old, gnawed by nameless creatures, broken, some scorched.
"Hmmmm...interesting." Dani mutters, pushing at one of the melted holy symbols with the end of the staff.
"Wonder what kind they are and why they were melted ... hope they didn't melt from the effort of turning hundreds of powerful undead." She whispers with a shudder.
Occa says, "Probably a spell casting undead...lich or vampire. Fireball probably did it...this might be tough." He scans the room for invisible creatures.
Op Code asks Occa "Don't you have 'detect invisibility' available?"
Dani shakes her head and replies instead. "No ... but if you lend me your spellbook later on, I would love to learn it." She says sweetly, blowing a kiss his way.
Occa says, "With this robe, I can see invisible creatures...so I don't need the spell. And Salaam should be able to see invisible with his true sight as well."
There are nothing invisible in the room or in the passage.
Occa says, "Uh, I wonder if this entire corridor is a trap...broken things, fire...this sounds like a trap to me. Anyone able to detect them? Dani, Jesse, could either of you see if the walls move or if this is a trap?"
"Salaam, can you cast 'Find Traps' on the hallway?" Op Code inquires.
"Alas, I can not, but I am currently using a spell of true sight allowing me to pierce all illusions and irregularites in nature."
(We have always ruled that true seeing would show up most traps anyway...)
Dani shakes her head. "I'll send out a wizard eye." She offers, and immediately begins casting ...
"I'll check." says the bard. He finds nothing resembling a trap, and Salaam, with his true sight, sees no traps of any kind either.
Sending her wizard eye up the length of the passage, Dani finds that the passage runs for a total of 80' in all, and ends at a door facing east. That makes five doors...
Occa says, "We might want to also examine for secret doors in room 1 before we go onto room 2...shall we? Dani, can you and your eye watch the hall so that we don't get surprised?" With that he searches room 1 for secret doors...
"Sure thing sweetie." Dani laughs, sending the eye as directed.
"These bodies must have been dead for a very long time if I could not speka with them." Placing the skull back on the ground, Salaam gets up and examines room #1 with his true sight.
No one sees or finds anything.
Occa says, "Salaam, can you detect magic with your true sight? If so, let's move on to door number two..."
Occa will have the servant open it...
This is the south door. Opening it reveals a large crypt...(30' south, 60' and beyond to the east).
The smell in here is terrible. The cause is immediately apparent, as three screaming ghasts launch themselves through the doorway at you...
Glancing through the doorway, you see that the crypt is full of coffins.
From somewhere behind Salaam comes Jesse's voice. "Is it time for a fireball?" He asks, eagerly.
"My dear Jesse," Salaam says with a wink, "Not just yet! Its showtime, I BLAST YE UNDEAD BACK TO THE HELLS FROM WHENCE YOU WERE SPAWNED !" he yells as he thrust his holy symbol forwards.
The undead are engulfed in holy fire. When the flames clear the ghasts are no more.
However, don't put those staves or holy symbols aside yet, for here and there throughout the crypt you see coffin lids opening, and horrid creatures climbing out...
...creatures such as ghouls, mummies, and what looks to be a decapitated head, trailing her entrails...
"Now Salaam? Should I fireball the place now?" asks an eager Jesse.
"Okay, NOW its time for a fireball !!" Salaam yells and he casts a fireball of his own.
Occa says, "Stand near me if you are casting fireball!" He casts a magic missle at the flying head and a shimmering globe forms around him (minor globe of invulnerabilty).
Jesse will get as close to Occa he can and wait to see the results of Salaams fireball. While waiting, he'll cast a magic missile at the head thing as well.
The rest of you cluster in close, too.
Five missiles slam into the head from Occa, burning and peeling away her flesh. She floats through the air towards you. Jesse's missiles hit her next, and the head drops to the floor and lies there. Then Salaam's fireball goes off, engulfing most of the room and you too. Fortunately, Occa's minor globe saves you.
When the smoke clears you see that all of the ghouls are dead and both mummies are smoking...one much moreso than the other.
However, the mere sight of them advancing on you, arms outstretched, is enough to strike fear into your hearts. Dani and Jesse stand rooted in place, paralysed with terror, but the rest of you stand tall and undaunted.
Also, from the shadows at the far end of the chamber come more undead...two wights.
"Time for some more yelling" Op Code says to Salaam.
Occa says, "Jesse, you might want to fireball them..."
Occa casts fireball as well...
"Uh, Uh. NO! NO!. Leave me alone." Jesse screams, cowering in terror.
Op Code casts magic missile into one of the mummies, doing 6 hit points into the healthier if the pair.
Salaam says -
"Don't waste the fireball, they are probably magicked to be resistant to fire, I aplogize for my fireball, I am a little rusty in the arts of magic. But I have an idea.."
"THOTH, GRANT ME THE HOLY POWER THAT YOU POSSESS - I BESEECH THEE FOR ALL THAT IS HOLY !!" he shouts as he casts a holy word at the creatures in the room.
The crackles like a thunderclap through the room, freezing the mummies and wights in their tracks. Thus held, you are able to kill them easily.
No more monsters come out to greet you.
There are a grand total of 14 coffins in here.
"Let us dispatch all the creatures and go coffin to coffin and eradicate these fell monstrosities."
You search the coffins for monsters and goodies.
In the first coffin you find a pile of the latter...3000cp, 5500gp, 20 gems that you instantly appraise at 50gp each, two earrings each worth 700gp, 8 potions and four scrolls.
The next coffin is empty.
The third held the two ghouls, and is filled with bones and bits of dried skin.
The fourth holds more treasure: 667cp, 2 diamonds worth 1000gp each and three more scrolls.
The fifth held two more ghouls, and is also filled with bones and bits of rusted armour.
The next two coffins are empty.
Coffin number 8 contained the lady with the entrails. In here is headless female body...a disgusting sight. But, when you set your queasiness aside and search, you find a potion, a shield, a glowing broadsword and a slingshot.
The ninth coffin held the mummies. You find an ample supply of medical bandages in it.
The next two coffins are empty.
Coffin #12 held the wights, and is now empty.
Number 13 contains 375cp and 250sp.
The last coffin is empty.
You can now see the full dimensions of the crypt...30' X 80'. There are no other exits.
Salaam detect smagic on the items and scans the room for any interesting things.
All of the scrolls are magic, as are the potion, shield, broadsword and sling.
There is nothing else of interest in here.
Op Code asks "Shall we continue with the next door?"
"Door number 2? Isn't that a bad luck number?" Dani mumbles.
You go back into the passage to the next door...in the north wall.
This opens to reveal a 20' X 20' room (20' north, 10' east). In here are numerous coffins, piled in stacks to the ceiling. You also see a pile of stone slabs and a barrel, sealed.
"Hmmmm... wonder what's in the barrel." Dani taps the barrel with her sword, trying to see if it is half-empty or half-full.
It sounds to be full of a liquid.
Popping the lid, you find that it's full of vinegar.
You search the rest of the room.
Moving the coffins about and opening them takes awhile, but it turns out to be worthwhile, for in one you find 4000gp and 14 sapphires which you appraise as being worth 450gp each.
It is mid-evening.
"Oh! I love sapphires! How pretty. We could make something really pretty with these - it's not like we need more treasure or anything." Dani giggles.
Op Code, getting hungry, mentions that he would love some fries to go with the vinegar. He asks if Salaam could create some for dinner.
"Why, of course.. OH GREAT THOTH," he intones as he raises his arms, "PLEASE CREATE FOR ME AN OLD SPECIALTY OF MINE, KNOCKERS AND FRIES..THANK YOU, MY LORD, OH, SOME CATSUP TOO, THANKS !"
Suddenly, there is a crack of thunder as the Power of Thoth is revealed, and a plate with two grilled hot dogs in buns and a side of fries, with a cup of catsup, materializes in front of each person. "You're all welcome."
Dani looks down at the food in surprise. She wrinkles her nose. "Hot dogs ... and that nasty old catsup?" She asks, looking to Salaam.
She pushes her plate away. "I'm sorry ... I appreciate it ... but .. couldn't I have weiner schnitzel instead ... with spaetzel and greenbeens ... and some beer?" She asks, giving Salaam a pouting smile ... while suddenly changing into the pretty half-elf once more.
"I'm sure that this is a powerful spell, and I thank you and your god, Thoth for providing it. However, it seems to take all the fun out of cooking and preparing dinner, and of course, the time honored tradition, the cleaning of the dishes.
"Besides, there's no chilli on these." grins Jesse.
Occa says, "Well, mid-evening...about time for the liches and vampires to be waking up...great." He giggles and says, "Door number three? Or do you guys want to hole up in one room for the night?"
Dani laughs, "Is it that late already? Or did you have plans with one of the 'girls' tonight?"
"What about door #3?" Op Code asks...his mouth full of fries.
"That's this room with the vinegar."
You make for the next door in the north wall, and open it.
Beyond is a chapel (20' X 30': 20' north, 10' east, 10' west). Against the middle of the north wall is an altar, now fouled with blood and dried excrement. Three rows of pews face it. Going by the carvings on the altar you decide that this place was once dedicated to Odin, the All-Father.
Searching the chapel finds you nothing, so you move on to the last door, at the end of the passage in the east wall.
This opens to reveal a 10' square room with a door in the east wall. More bones and dried blood stain the floor. Opening the far door reveals another passage heading east for 20'. Leading from it are three more doors: one in the east wall, and the others in the far end sections of the north and south walls.
Occa laughs at Dani and says, "Are you jealous?"
"Jealous? You have got to be kidding! I just want to make sure your mind is on your work ... and not on your bedding plans." Dani replies tartly.
Occa laughs and says, "Ah, you are jealous because all the men around you are all talk and no action. Is it my fault that the Lord of Thunder has been good to me?"
He smiles.
"What are you smiling about?" Dani snaps. "And what do you mean about the lord of Thunder?"
Occa says, "Let's just say that I have reason to be more relaxed than you do...obviously. You do seem a bit tense. You know..the Lord of thunder...Thor, the mighty god of thunder...surely you have heard of him?"
Dani blushes deeply. "Oh." Then she looks a bit confused. "Huh? How then has he been good to you .... ohhhhh .... you mean .... "
Suddenly, Dani all but growls at him and turns away muttering.
Then turns back. "Do you mean to say that since he offered or whatever, he has been good to you in the sense that his offer precludes you from having to .... Oh! I can't believe how rude you are! I have no intentions in that direction, so you can rest your mind on that score! ARGH! Of all the silly things!" Dani turns away, muttering all the while.
"Let's just get on with it then." Dani concentrates on her 'eye' to see what she can see ... and still muttering. "Of all the hare-brained, silly things I have ever heard of! Men are so predictable ... they only have one thing on their minds ...."
Occa nearly rolls on the flooring laughing. He gets up and wipes the tears from his eyes and says, "Do you see what I mean? You take things way to seriously." He giggles for the next ten or twenty minutes...everytime he looks at Dani he laughs again, especially if she does mutter the whole time.
Dani face turns several wonderful shades of red. Fuming, she replies quietly, "Just you wait until we are clear of this place ... just you wait!" She stamps her foot and then turns her back on him.
She steps closer to Salaam, and puts her hand on his arm and whispers something to him.
Salaam leans in and gives Dani a kiss full on the lips.
"Mmmm .... " Dani sighs, "You're not too bad yourself." She replies, a bit flustered.
She looks back over her shoulder at Occa with a smug grin.
Op Code scoops up a bit of vinegar and pours it on his fries. In between taking bites of a hotdog, he says "These are great Salaam. Where'd you ever learn to whip up stuff like this. Maybe you can teach Orlon how to make this. All he ever seems to make are those pizzas he loves."
After polishing off one dog, Op Code remarks to Dani "Geez. You girls complain that us guys don't do much domestic work. Yet, when we offer to help out, lik Salaam whipping up these great dogs, you still complain. I guess the old adage is true. 'Women. you can't live with them, and you can't live without them.'"
Jesse stares hard at Op Code and speaks, "Who are you calling a girl? I resent that, just because I don't have the magical powers that others have, or am real good with a sword, does not make me a girl." Jesse begins to mutter and walks off to be alone, tuning his lute.
Dani smiles, "Well, I only wanted something else to eat - it was Jesse that complained about the lack of chores ... hmmmm... wonder what that means?" Dani replies with a giggle.
She looks to Jesse, "Were you a woman before you came to us then?"
"Yes, Jesse, please enlighten us," Salaam remarks with a knowing look.
"A very personal question, Dani." Jesse grins. "No, but my ma was down right hard on me when it came to avoiding chores so I guess I have her drilled into me, with her voice, 'Jesse do the dishes'."
"Are we settling in for the night, thus should I sing a song, or tell a story?"
Dani looks at the doors. "Well, maybe it would be a good idea to settle down for the evening ... but I suppose you guys don't want to do that, eh? Well then Occa, how about your servant and I'll follow with my eye."
Occa says, "Okay, let's go!" He sends his servant forward to open the first door to the left.
The door is opened, and you see beyond a 20' X 30' room (20' north, 20' west; door in west wall north corner). Another crypt, the place is filled with smashed coffins...and something else...dark and shadowy creatures which flock through the air towards you...
"Ack!" Dani grasps the staff and says the command word ... for something bright ... uh, sunburst?
There is a blinding flash...and none of you can see for a moment. When you regain your sight, the shadows are no more.
You search the crypt, but find nothing in here.
You go to the door in the west wall. Opening it, you see before you a 10' square landing...and a flight of stairs descending into darkness to the left.
Occa says, "No, let's not go down tonight, but let's finish the upper level off tonight...I believe there are two more doors."
Occa stops and says, "Hold on." He casts wizard lock on the door to the stairs down...he then casts magic mouth "Scream when any but those in this party open this door."
He sends his unseen servant to open the closest remaining door.
This is the door at the end if the passage, in the east wall.
This reveals the main crypt of the tomb (30' X 60': 20' north, 30' east, 30' south). As in the previous crypt, this one is filled with coffins, bones...and undead...namely 8 zombies, 9 skeletons...and something else...
"Ack!" cries Jesse, as he ages by 10 years at the sight.
"Eek!" cries Dani, as she too ages by 10 years.
For an instant Jesse feels something trying to invade his mind, but his will is strong and the attempt is a failure.
The zombies, skeletons and ghost move to attack...
Op Code calls to Salaam "Here's your bread and butter. Do your stuff brother." He then moves to attack the ghost.
"Thoth, please aid me in my time of trouble, BEGONE FOUL CREATURES !" Salaam intones as he thrusts his holy symbol forward.
Again the undead are engulfed in holy fire...and all of the zombies and all but one of the skeletons are destroyed.
The ghost winks out of sight.
The last skeleton squares off with Op Code, and clangs his rusty longsword off of the ranger's armour. Op Code swats at it with the flat of his longsword, and bones go flying. Still it presses. Again the rusty blade is turned by Op Code's full plate, and again the ranger hits.
This time the skeleton disintegrates into a heap of powdery bones.
The crypt is quiet.
"Thoth, I know you like to test me, but boy, do you know how to give a good workout." Salaam finishes as he wipes his sweaty brow. He scans the room with his detect magic ability...but nothing lights up.
Occa has his servant open all the coffins.
Most of them are empty, but in one you find 8000sp and 4 vials.
Just as you finish, Op Code notices a shimmer off in a corner, while Salaam feels something attempting to violate his mind...again without success.
The ghost has returned.
"Oh, great Thoth, DISPEL THIS EVIL FROM OUR MIDST !!" Salaam intones while holding his holy symbol.
His spell has no effect on the creature. Instead, it moves to attack the cleric...seemingly becoming more solid.
The ghost will be on Salaam next round...
Occa casts magic missile at the ghost. The ghost reels, but continues to close on Salaam.
"Should I cast a fireball?" asks Jesse.
Op Code screams "NO JESSE. WE'LL ALL BE FRIED!!!!"
"Hey, toots ! Not at this range !!!" says Salaam as he eyes the advancing undead.
"Ok, Thoth, ye be wantin' me to play hardball," he continues in his best Elminster imitation. "Please protect your servant as I advance your name in - ACK!!!"
Salaam's spell is ruined by the attack of the ghost. Fortunately he just dodges its deadly touch, but finds himself embroiled in a melee.
"Salaam, who in the hell are you calling Toots. My name, as you may know is Jesse. Get it right."
Jesse will prepare to defend himself with his shortsword, if given the opportunity.
"If you say so, I thought Dani was asking the question, I am quite sorry." replies the cleric as he swings his hammer at the ghost. He hits it and does damage.
Op Code will move to attack the ghost again. Op Code also succeeds at plunging his longsword into its undistinct form...nearly finishing it off.
Salaam swings his hammer into it again...and it winks out of existance.
The crypt is quiet again.
"Phew ! Do I need a rest." Salaam says as he places his hammer back at his belt. "I suggest we secure the room and rest a bit, all these undead are quickly draining my resources. If we must continue, give me a few minutes to compose myself."
Occa will have the unseen servant search through the room.
You find nothing new...you had just finished searching this crypt before the ghost returned. However, this does give Salaam a bit of time to recover.
There is one more door to open...back in the hall and in the south wall. Occa's servant does the honours. This opens into another crypt (30' X 30': 20' west, 30' south, no visible exits). However, this one, though filled with bones, filth and coffins, contains no monsters to harass you.
You search, and find three vials.
Occa says, "Now that this level is cleared, let's camp out for the night and finish up the lower level tomorrow."
You head back outside to make camp a short distance away from the tomb.
As everyone starts to head outside to make camp, Occa says, "Uh, do we really want to head outside? Maybe we should take one of the empty rooms with one door...it would be much more defensible than the great outdoors. What do you all think?"
He waits for suggestions.
"I agree w/ Occa, I think we should fortify a room or two and camp here." says Salaam.