Session 84: When Last We Met 6.23.24

When last we met, The party had arrived on a dig site at the Black Pyramid of Menkaure. They were assigned work detail after speaking with the foreman. They began their respective guard duties. One half of the party going on patrol around the perimeter of the pyramid, The other, keeping watch over the people digging the trench. Celeste, Vandread and Maleeka are on patrol duty and witness a tense protest of people against the excavation of this pyramid. Romaia, Mistral and Sebastian remain at the pyramid and are approached by one of the gentlemen they met in the tavern the previous night. He expresses elation that they are working for the Order of the Perpetual Shroud and fills them in on their task, to unearth a previously unknown entrance ino the pyramid, gaining access to whatever lies within.    After that, the party reunites just in time to hear a commotion over by where the protest was happening. They arrive to see various guards getting attacked and subsequently killed by an unknown band of brigands. The party is roped into the conflict as a Tabaxi attacker emerges from beneath the sand to attack the party. A battle ensues and all of the guards end up losing their lives. As the party intervenes, these unknown attackers begin losing numbers fairly quickly as well.    Mistral eventually calls for a parlay saying they are on the same side against the Order of the Perpetual Shroud. Their apparent leader teleports to his location and demands an explanation. This masked man calls off the remainder of his men and a small truce is reached while Mistral explains their role in all this. They eventually come to an understanding. This man, named Hakim, is leader of a group known only as the Muharib, A tribe of Warrior monks who are sworn to protect the secrets buried beneath Sunwilde.    The two groups barter a peace given they have similar goals. Celeste tries to offer recompense to Hakim for the lives lost of his men. But he assures her they died doing exactly what they were honor bound to do. Hakim offers a possible strategy to the party. The Muharib will vanish and they can tell the proper authorities that they fought them off bravely and protected the work interestes of the King, Hoping to earn an audience with him.    This series of events proceeds to unfold as the remainder of the Muharib disappear in the waters of the Tafuu River. Guards eventually arrive and are greeted by this explanation given by Mistral. They, along with members of the Order laud the party for their efforts. The guards however say that the island must be shut down for the rest of the day to secure it and clean up the bodies. This is met by pushback from the order members, But the guards offer an official order under penalty of arrest to vacate the Island. On their way out, the party attempts to strongarm A member of the Perpetual shroud into giving them an audience with their king, However he proceeds to tell them that he is not their king and that they would probably be summoned eventually due to their heroism.    The party proceeds to watch the cleanup efforts from the opposite bank of the Tafuu River. And that's where we'll pick up next time!