[Chapter 9] The Parched Dunes

The nest at the top is a 20-foot-square cube of bones, desert scrub, and uprooted trees, jumbled among the precariously balanced pieces of a shipwrecked galley.

There is a fair bit of debris in the nest and sifting through it will take time. Detect Magic however, indicates three sources of magic: quickly focusing on those areas, Callum finds a glove, a rod, and a potion.

You have all the time in the world. As does the roc. You could grab the three magic items quickly enough.

evil handwashing motion

Callum's eyes spot the gleam from other possible shinies as he flies back down, away from the eyesight of the rapidly approaching massive bird.

He lands on the ground safely as the roc comes down and lands upon the gargantuan nest.

The items retrieved are:

• a brass lamp filled with elixir of fire breath,
• a left-handed glove of arrow snaring (if matched with its twin, the pair functions normally),
• an immovable rod

Tabat nods. "Not a bad find, these will come in handy. You're right though, I see no sense in engaging the Roc in challenge of its nest. Perhaps if we come back this way again, we may search further. There is still much to explore out here as it is."

The next hex north is sandy hills, and you arrive just before dusk.

You camp for the night, and in the next morning explore the area, finding nothing of interest.

Where to next?

North is another area of sandy hills. Exploring it reveals little of note.

The day ends then and following day begins.

Where to?

More sandy hills. However...

The gap in the stone opens suddenly into a narrow gorge crossed by a pair of natural stone arches. To the west, a small pyramid towers over the ravine from its perch atop the cliffs. Below, a columned facade has been hewn from the soft sandstone of the ravine’s northern wall, and though weathered by wind and sand, the carvings were clearly once opulent and intricate. A broad doorway leads inside this structure, while dark openings farther up the facade appear to open into a higher level.

Guarding the valley is a desert giant, and two cultists. They're alerted to a sound but haven't spotted you yet.

What do you do?

You recognize the cultists as being dressed the same the Cult of the Forgotten Pharoah cultists previously witnessed or described by the longer serving members of the Destined Drivers from their run ins with them in Wati and Tephu.