[Chapter 9] The Parched Dunes

Mar 12, 2026 10:53 pm
Following the clues found in the Vault of Hidden Wisdom, the Destined Delivered likely realize that their best lead to find Hakotep’s tomb likely lies in the tomb of his architect, Chisisek, which lies somewhere west of Tephu in the Parched Dunes, one of the least hospitable regions of the great Osirian Desert. To find Chisisek’s tomb, you must explore the southern reaches of the Parched Dunes, which primarily consist of rocky desert and sand flats, but also incorporate badlands, hills, and sand dunes.

The adventure assumes that the PCs take the easiest route from Tephu to the Parched Dunes, up the Crook River, a journey of approximately 120 miles. A riverboat can make the trip in 12 days, for a cost of 12 gp per passenger. The PCs can easily purchase all of the supplies they might need for a journey into the desert, including food, water, and even camels, before leaving Tephu.
Mar 14, 2026 8:15 pm
Tabat thanks Horus for sending him Andromeda as they brave the open desert. He rides upon her back after disembarked from the river and into the Parched Dune, eager to find Chisisek's tomb.
OOC:
I'll deduct 14gp from Tabat's sheet. 12gp for the trip, 2gp for assorted survival supplies - rations, water enough to last a while, a sunshade for camping, etc.
Mar 20, 2026 5:45 am
Callum looks over at Tabat and Andromeda, and for the life of him can't understand how the two make it look so simple. His own camel is stubborn and difficult to control, and if it weren't for the fact his newfound ability to fly was limited, he'd just as soon leave this ornery, beast of burden behind.

He sighs, readjusts his shemagh, and passes the time pondering what interesting secrets they'll find at Chisisek's tomb.
OOC:
Mirroring C1nder in his purchasing of basic survival gear.
Last edited March 20, 2026 5:46 am
Mar 20, 2026 1:59 pm
Iseret, having less need of survival supplies (thanks to her ring of sustenance), settles for purchasing a tent, bedroll, and camel.
Mar 23, 2026 4:19 am
https://i.imgur.com/G8D9FyS.jpeg

South of the Parched Dunes, a small, unnamed tributary joins the Crook from the north. This stream is too small to allow travel by boat, but following the stream by foot takes the PCs into the southern reaches of the Parched Dunes. The PCs begin their explorations on the southern edge of the map, in the hex containing the stream.

I've posted brief hexcrawl rules here.

Lastly, the current hex has been discovered but not explored.
Mar 26, 2026 9:56 am
"Let's take our time and get a lay of the land, following the stream?" Tabat suggests.
OOC:
Explore Desert (2 Activities), Travel NW (1 Activity) proposed
Mar 26, 2026 3:14 pm
The meandering tributary of the Crook River passes though rocky desert in this hex. A group of four gnoll slavers and their hyena animal companions has paused by the stream here to rest and water their charges—a chain of a dozen human slaves.

The hyenas are posted around the perimeter and howl as you approach.

There are four gnolls and four hyenas. I'll roll initiative for everyone.

The hyenas hotel and form a defensive line between your camel train and the slaver camp. They'll attack anyone who gets close. They're fifty feet from you, there is a river to the right, and rockier terrain (difficult) to the left, leaving a clear spot forty feet wide between. The gnolls are forty feet behind the hyenas.

All of you are up in whatever order you post.

Rolls

Initiative: Callum +11, Iseret +4, Selquet +6, Tabat +1, Gnolls, Hyenas - (1d20+11, 1d20+4, 1d20+6, 1d20+1, 1d20+3, 1d20+3)

1d20+11 : (6) + 11 = 17

1d20+4 : (1) + 4 = 5

1d20+6 : (7) + 6 = 13

1d20+1 : (8) + 1 = 9

1d20+3 : (1) + 3 = 4

1d20+3 : (18) + 3 = 21

Mar 27, 2026 1:33 am
Tabat rides forth on Andromeda, pulling his khopesh. He slashes at one of the gnolls while Andromeda bites at it.
Last edited March 27, 2026 1:34 am

Rolls

Tabat Menes: MW Khopesh - Atk/Dam - Reckless Strike - (1d20+14, 1d8+10)

1d20+14 : (1) + 14 = 15

1d8+10 : (2) + 10 = 12

Andromeda: Bite - Atk/Dam - Reckless Strike - (1d20+10, 1d6+16)

1d20+10 : (20) + 10 = 30

1d6+16 : (3) + 16 = 19

Andromeda Confirm Crit - (1d20+10, 1d6+16)

1d20+10 : (9) + 10 = 19

1d6+16 : (4) + 16 = 20

Mar 27, 2026 2:14 am
OOC:
The hyenas are closer, the gnolls 90' from where you started.
While Tabat misses his swing, Andromeda's bite crushes the skull of a hyena.
Mar 27, 2026 1:55 pm
Iseret swings her short sword at a hyena.

Rolls

Attack and damage - (1d20+11, 1d4+5)

1d20+11 : (16) + 11 = 27

1d4+5 : (1) + 5 = 6

Mar 29, 2026 6:10 pm
Callum spurs his camel on, striking out at the approaching hyenas.
OOC:
whoops, rerolling damage
Last edited March 29, 2026 6:11 pm

Rolls

Single attack - (1d20+11)

(15) + 11 = 26

Damage (Scimitar) - (1d20+5)

(8) + 5 = 13

Damage redo - (1d6+5)

(1) + 5 = 6

Mar 29, 2026 6:24 pm
Selqet urges his camel forward and swings at a hyena.

Rolls

Khopesh attack and damage - (1d20+19, 1d8+11)

1d20+19 : (16) + 19 = 35

1d8+11 : (5) + 11 = 16

Mar 29, 2026 10:32 pm
Iseret and Callum defeat a hyena, then Selquet cuts another down.

The last remaining hyena nips at a camel's heels, while the gnolls unleash and fire their composite shortbows at each of you.

Callum and Iseret are each hit for 10 damage.

You're all up again in whatever order to post. The four gnolls are 40' away, the slaves a couple dozen feet behind them.

Rolls

Hyena attacks the camel of 1: C, 2: I, 3: S, 4:T with trip - (1d4, 1d20+2, 1d6+2)

1d4 : (4) = 4

1d20+2 : (4) + 2 = 6

1d6+2 : (6) + 2 = 8

Gnolls vs Callum - (1d20+8, 1d6+4)

1d20+8 : (14) + 8 = 22

1d6+4 : (6) + 4 = 10

Gnolls vs Iseret - (1d20+8, 1d6+4)

1d20+8 : (15) + 8 = 23

1d6+4 : (6) + 4 = 10

Gnolls vs Selquet - (1d20+8, 1d6+4)

1d20+8 : (8) + 8 = 16

1d6+4 : (2) + 4 = 6

Gnolls vs Tabat - (1d20+8, 1d6+4)

1d20+8 : (1) + 8 = 9

1d6+4 : (4) + 4 = 8

Mar 30, 2026 3:22 am
Tabat pats Andromeda on her neck. "You did well, but there are more. Let's go!" His divine camel needs no further urging as she takes off across the sand toward the gnolls. "We'll take away their ranged advantage," he says as the wind whips past him. As they come upon the canine bipedals, he swings with his khopesh while Andromeda bites.

Rolls

Tabat Menes: MW Khopesh - Atk/Dam - Reckless Strike - (1d20+14, 1d8+10)

1d20+14 : (12) + 14 = 26

1d8+10 : (4) + 10 = 14

Andromeda: Bite - Atk/Dam - Reckless Strike - (1d20+10, 1d6+16)

1d20+10 : (5) + 10 = 15

1d6+16 : (5) + 16 = 21

Apr 3, 2026 3:34 am
Gritting his teeth as the arrow pierces into his shoulder, Callum shouts a curse at the gnome in Elvish, with a mingling of something more ancient.
OOC:
Casting Evil Eye on the gnome that hit me. -4 to attack rolls, lasts 8 rounds, Will save to reduce to 1 round
[ +- ] Evil Eye
Apr 3, 2026 3:42 am
Iseret moves forward as far as she can (20 ft) and tries to find a dune to hide behind.
Apr 3, 2026 4:38 am
Selqet urges his camel forward to charge at the gnolls, swinging his khopesh.

Prepared for a gnoll to counterattack, Selqet parries and ripostes
OOC:
if attacked in melee

Rolls

Khopesh Attack - (1d20+19, 1d8+11)

1d20+19 : (3) + 19 = 22

1d8+11 : (7) + 11 = 18

Parry - (1d20+19)

(7) + 19 = 26

Riposte (Cold Iron Khopesh) - (1d20+19, 1d8+11)

1d20+19 : (8) + 19 = 27

1d8+11 : (2) + 11 = 13

Apr 3, 2026 5:08 pm
Tabat and Andromeda charge forth, drawing a clumsy attack from the hyena at her hooves, crashing into the gnoll archers. He strokes one while Andromeda's teeth chomp only on air. (Gnoll designated as G1 takes 14 damage).

Callum casts a spell on a gnoll (designating as G2: -4 to attacks for 8 rounds).

Iseret moves forward and adopts a defensive posture as she moves.

Selquet charges at the gnolls and engaged one, slashing it hard. (Designated as G3, it takes 18 damage).

Rolls

Gnome save vs Evil Eye - (1d20+2)

(6) + 2 = 8

AAOO vs Andromeda - (1d20+2, 1d6+2)

1d20+2 : (2) + 2 = 4

1d6+2 : (1) + 2 = 3

Apr 3, 2026 5:19 pm
The two gnolls drop their composite bows and draw their weapons, each pulling a scimitar and a scorpion whip. They attack doubling up on the attackers.

G1 will fill attack Tabat, while G2 struggles to move and flank. Tabat takes 16 from the attack, the second misses due to the evil eye, and drops his weapon.

G3 will full attack Selquet, with G4 moving to flank. Selquet takes no damage but the second gnoll disarms him.

All of you are up.

G1: -14, flanking Tabat
G2: (-4 to attacks for 7 more rounds), flanking Tabat
G3: -18, flanking Selquet
G4: flanking Selquet

Rolls

G1 vs Tabat, disarming with whip and slashing with the scimitar - (1d20+8, 1d20+8, 1d6+2)

1d20+8 : (20) + 8 = 28

1d20+8 : (20) + 8 = 28

1d6+2 : (4) + 2 = 6

G3 vs Selquet, disarming with whip and slashing with the scimitar - (1d20+8, 1d20+8, 1d6+2)

1d20+8 : (14) + 8 = 22

1d20+8 : (7) + 8 = 15

1d6+2 : (2) + 2 = 4

Confirm crits vs Tabat - (1d20+8, 1d20+8)

1d20+8 : (17) + 8 = 25

1d20+8 : (5) + 8 = 13

Correction to damage vs Tabat - (1d8+4)

(4) + 4 = 8

G2 flanks and attacks Tabat - (1d20+12, 1d8+4)

1d20+12 : (15) + 12 = 27

1d8+4 : (5) + 4 = 9

G4 flanks and attacks Selquet to disarm - (1d20+12)

(14) + 12 = 26

Apr 3, 2026 5:32 pm
OOC:

Des my Opportune Parry & Riposte hit the first Gnoll?
Selqet smiles at the Gnoll, reaching back to his Haversack and drawing his backup Khopesh, slashing as the gnoll who disarmed him.

Rolls

Mwk Silver Khopesh - (1d20+18, 1d8+9)

1d20+18 : (20) + 18 = 38

1d8+9 : (8) + 9 = 17

Confirming Critical - (1d20+18, 1d8+)

1d20+18 : (16) + 18 = 34

1d8+ : (1) = 1

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