[Gameplay] 3. The Sanctum

Following your exploration of the House of Pentheru, the party tests and recuperate then returns to the Grand Mausoleum to receive your third and final exploration site. This one is an abandoned temple that the priests believe was dedicated to Nethys, god of magic. Just as with the first two sites, the Pharasmins give your team a sketched map of the temple’s location in the necropolis.

After you enter the dead zone, part way on route, the sun beats down on the lonely, silent streets of the necropolis. Dust and sand now cover the once-bustling streets, and buildings that were once homes and shops are gradually disintegrating into rubble after centuries of neglect. Scattered throughout the ruins is the occasional palm tree or shrub, kept alive by the broken remnants of a long-abandoned irrigation system.

How do you proceed through the city?

Skarab analyzes the sketched map, and asks specifically where the various temple entrances would be.

He says, "Perhaps we should take an alternate entrance. What is everyone’s thoughts?"

Tabat heads the group as they enter the necropolis. "Not a bad idea, Skarab," Tabat agrees, "We don't know what dangers may lurk here." He looks around carefully at the numerous crumbled remains of long-forgotten construction. "There are many places for danger to hide. We should be quiet, and watchful."

... a simple gold wedding ring worth 50 gp. An inscription in Osiriani inside the band of the ring reads, "To Akar from Panhet, Love Eternal."

If the PCs search for Panhet in Wati, they can locate the young widow, whose husband disappeared during the last year. If the PCs return the ring to her with news of the whereabouts of Akar’s body, Panhet gratefully rewards the party with 150 gp.

As you pass through broken streets, Archibald, Tabat and Iseret notice movement on the top of buildings to either side, and in the rubble beyond. It could be an ambush.

"Be wary, my friends, for we are being stalked from above."

Archibald spends most of his free time debating with the party about creating an emblem and therefore a flag for the Destined Delvers. He plans to attach it to his flagpole, right next to the flag of the Almas University.

Once the group embarks on their next destination, he becomes alert, sensing trouble nearby. " I believe Mistress Iseret is correct, there is danger afoot."

Pretending to not notice those following them, Tabat motions for the others to follow him. He leads them to the closest defendable location he can find that might keep the enemy from encircling them, then takes a stand.

"Your element of surprise is gone!" he shouts, "Come out and have words with us, if you will, or steel if you must!"

'We seem to be getting lucky on these sites.' Khadi is her usual cheerful self this morning, after another night of celebrating.

At Iseret call they are being watched however she slows, a hand drifting slowly towards her symbol on case she needs to start casting spells.

They're waiting in ambush and so when it is obvious you spot then, they act. But you're ready, too, and each of you act first. What do you do?

As soon as the word is given, Iseret's crossbow is to hand and firing.

"Come then." Tabat waits for one of the attackers to come within close range and lunges forward, careful to strike the nearest enemy that appears intent to circle behind their group - he doesn't everything he can to keep the enemy away from his lighter-armored companions.

Khadi pulls out her crossbow as she starts to move to a place to take cover, before firing off a shot.

There are six attacking you, two marked as C2 and four more marked as C3, in the map here.

Skarab looks around and yells, "AMBUSH! Find cover!"

He runs back and lies down, taking cover behind some ruined walls. He loads his crossbow, and prepares to fire.